Category Archives: Dystopian
Release Blitz: Mad Cruel World: Dystopian Romance Anthology
MAD CRUEL WORLD: A DYSTOPIAN ROMANCE ANTHOLOGY
T.L. Anderson | Amanda Cuff | Kim Deister | Victoria Ellis | Cady Verdiramo
Caitlyn Fournier | A.M. Johnson | K Leigh | Amanda Richardson | J.R. Rogue
Katia Rose | D.S. Wrights
Release Date: March 4
The world as we knew it was gone…
And we were the ones left to pick up its pieces.
Mad Cruel World
As the world began to recover from a global pandemic, an unknown event caused the planet to go dark. No phones, no cars, no hospital equipment, no electricity whatsoever.
The world is now a wasteland through and through. Disease, famine, and war spread like wildfire. Some are lucky enough to have found refuge, and some have been left to fend for themselves.
Some have lost their husbands, their wives, their best friends…
Will they ever see them again?
Mad Cruel World asks the question: what happens to love in a world gone dark?
All of the stories featured in the Mad Cruel World Anthology are meant to be read as complete standalones and are not continuations of each other.
Buy Link:
http://bit.ly/ordermadcruelworld
New Year. New Reading Challenge.
It’s that time of year again! As you know, there is nothing more that I love then challenging myself when it comes to the books I read. Whether it’s a new author, series, a genre that takes me out of my comfort zone or being able to tackle some books that have been on my tbr for far too long; I live for a good reading challenge. The past few years, I stepped up my game not only with the books that I read, but also by attempting to clear out that never ending to-read list. As always, my challenges have been hard, but a ton of fun at the same time.
For 2021’s Reading Challenge, I really wanted to once again challenge myself and kick my never-ending to-read list’s butt!! And I am more than ready for the challenge……
- Re-Read a Favorite Book
- A Book by an Author New to Me
- 2 Contemporary Romances
- 2 New Adult Romances
- A Biker Romance
- 2 Paranormal/Fantasy Romances
- A Sports Romance
- A Romantic Comedy
- A Book Chosen For Its Cover
- Accidental Pregnanacy Troupe
- Older Brother’s Best Friend Troupe
- Holiday Romance (Any Holiday)
- A Forbidden Romance
- A Billionaire Romance
- Bad Boy Romance
- A Workplace Romance
- Fake Relationship Troupe
- Favorite Troupe
- Book with a Red Cover
- 10 Books on my TBR
- 6 New Releases
- A Troupe I haven’t read in 12 months
- A Rockstar Romance
- A Non Romance Book
- A Classic Novel
- A Book Picked By A Friend
- A Dark/Taboo Romance
- A Historical Romance
- Fairytale Re-telling Troupe
- A YA Book
- Enemies to Lovers Troupe
- A Book that will make you Ugly Cry
- Age-Gap Troupe
- Friends to Lovers Troupe
- Book with a Blue Cover
- Mystery/ Thriller
- 3 Duets
- A Mafia Romance
- 3 Novellas
- 3 Sweet Romances
- 2 Romantic Suspense Novels
- A Book with a Cowboy on the Cover
- A Book where one of the Main Characters is/was in the Military
- 2 Small Town Romances
- A Book where one of the Main Characters is a First Responder
- A Second Chance Romance
- Dystopian/Science Fiction
- A Book with a Yellow Cover
- Insta-Love Troupe
- A Book with a Bearded Man on the Cover
- A Fighter/MMA Romance
- A Trilogy
- Finish a series I Started
- Bully Romance Troupe
- Read one series
- 2 Box Sets of books
- A stand-alone Romance
- Beach Read Troupe
- 4 Books I own per month
Do you enjoy reading challenges? Share with me in the comments below, your 2021 Reading Challenge!
Year in Review: 2020 Reading Challenge!
Each year, I try to create a reading challenge that’s not only fun and challenging but also realistic. This year, I set the bar pretty high, and couldn’t be happier with the results. I’ve read over 90 books for this challenge, 36 of those being books that have sat on my kindle for far too long. I’ve discovered a lot of new authors and exciting books in 2020 and can not wait to see what next years challenge will bring.
Here are the books that made my 2020 Reading Challenge a success:
- A Book by an author who is new to me: Let’s get textual Teagan Hunter
- A Contemporary: Pretend You’re Mine by Lucy Score
- A NA Read: Break You by MV Ellis
- A Biker Novel: One Hundred & Thirty-Six Scars by Amo Jones
- A stand-alone Novel: The Biker and the Thief by Kate McCarthy
- A Paranormal: Kiss of Vengeance by S. Young
- 2 New Releases: Finding Him by RVD, Once A Myth by Pepper Winters
- A Sports Romance: The Rivalry by Nikki Sloan
- 2 books that have been on my TBR forever: Tap Left by A Zavarelli, The Marriage Pact by Winter Renshaw
- A Romantic Comedy: Bossman Bridegroom by Meghan Quinn
- A Book from your Favorite Troupe: Protecting Piper by Cynthia Eden
- A Book Chosen for its Cover: Echoes of Time by Calia Reed
- A troupe you haven’t read in 12 months: The Other Woman by Sadie Jones
- A Rock Star Romance: Rock by JA Huss
- A Non Romance Book: A Very Punchable Face by Colin Jost
- A Classic Novel: Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
- A book with a Man with Tattoos on the cover: The Bad Boy Arrangement by Nora Flite
- A Book Picked by a Friend: Fear Me by BB Reid
- 2 Books on your TBR: Soul in Darkness by Wendy Higgins, Wicked Cravings by Suzanne Wright
- 2 New Releases: Liar by Fiona Cole, Now or Never by Stella Rhys
- An Audiobook: Sweet Filthy Morning After by Christina Lauren
- Dark/Taboo Romance: Credence by Penelope Douglas , 15 by Lana Sky
- Historical Romance: The Highwayman by Kerrigan Byrne
- Favorite Troupe: That Night by KI Lynn
- Read a Duet: The Devil’s Contract & The Sinner’s Bargain by Claire Contreras
- Fairy Tale Retelling: Stealing Cinderella by A. Zavarelli
- A YA Book: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
- A Fighter/MMA Book:- In Your Corner by Sara Castille
- A Contemporary Book with a Second Chance Romance: Breathing Wisteria by Amali Rose
- A Contemporary Book with Enemies to Lovers Troupe: Then You Happened by K. Bromberg
- A Book that will make you Ugly Cry: The Other Side Kim Holden
- A Book with a Dog included on the Cover: The Art of Racing in the Rain
- A Book with an Age Gap Troupe: The Forbidden Man by Karina Halle
- A Book with Friends to Lovers Troupe: Down on Me by J. Kenner
- 1 trilogy: Violent Delights, Violent Triumphs, and Violent Ends by Jessica Hawkins
- 2 box sets of Books: Ashes & Embers Series Collection by Carian Cole, The Evolution of Sin by Giana Darling
- Finish a series that I started: Dollar Series by Pepper Winters
- Bully Romance Troupe: Break Filthy Rich Boys by CM Stunich
- 2 Duets: Both of Me & Both of Us by Amber Kelly, Whatever It Takes & Wherever You Are by Krista & Becca Ritchie
- Mafia Romance: Bound by Honor by Cora Reilly
- 2 Novellas: Loving Storm by Carian Cole, Dream of You by JLA
- 2 Sweet Romances: Untamed Cowboy by Maisey Yates, Love Walks In by Nina Lindsey
- A Suspense Novel: Broken With You by J. Kenner
- Read one series: Seaside Series by Rachel Van Dyken
3 Books on my TBR each month:
The Sea of Lost Things by Kelly St-Laurent, Justified by Jay Crownover, The Assistant by Marni Mann, Half Truths by Claire Contreras, Complicated Love by Krisitn Mayer, Rush by Kandi Steiner, Tears of Ink by Anna Bloom, A Single Glance by Willow Winters, One Little Lie by Whitney Barbetti, Seducing The Billionaires Wife by Marquita Valentine, Beautiful Lies by Emery Rose, Something Wicked by Teresa Mummert, Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid, The Girl He Used To Know by Tracey Garvis Graves, Jewels of the Sun by Nora Roberts, Sinner by Sierra Simone, Where You Can Find Me by Fiona Cole, Monster by Jessica Gadziala, Something So Right by Natasha Madison, The Story of US by Molly Okeef, Pretty Little Player by J. Kenner, Scarlet Stone by Jewel E Ann, The Handmaid’s Tale by Margret Atwood, Intention by Ava Harrison, True by Erin McCarthy, Silk Volume One KM Scott, Shame by Rachel Van Dyken, The Wrong Kind Of Love by Lexi Ryan, Dirty Reckless Love by Lexi Ryan, Wrapped in Love by Lexi Ryan, Her Defiant Heart by Monica Murphy, His Wasted Words by Monica Murphy, Damaged Hearts by Monica Murphy, To Professor With Love Linda Kage, Be My Hero Linda Kage, and With Every Heartbeat Linda Kage.
Have you completed your 2020 Reading Challenge? Share some of your 2020 challenge books in the comments below!
Review: A Touch of Death (The Outlands Pentalogy #1) by Rebecca Crunden
A thousand years in the future, the last of humanity live inside the walls of the totalitarian Kingdom of Cutta. The rich live in Anais, the capital city of Cutta, sheltered from the famine and disease which ravage the rest of the Kingdom. Yet riches and power only go so far, and even Anaitians can be executed. It is only by the will of the King that Nate Anteros, son of the King’s favourite, is spared from the gallows after openly dissenting. But when he’s released from prison, Nate disappears.
A stark contrast, Catherine Taenia has spent her entire life comfortable and content. The daughter of the King’s Hangman and in love with Thom, Nate’s younger brother, her life has always been easy, ordered and comfortable. That is, where it doesn’t concern Nate. His actions sullied not only his future, but theirs. And unlike Thom, Catherine has never forgiven him.
Two years pass without a word, and then one night Nate returns. But things with Nate are never simple, and when one wrong move turns their lives upside down, the only thing left to do is run where the King’s guards cannot find them – the Outlands. Those wild, untamed lands which stretch around the great walls of the Kingdom, filled with mutants and rabids.
MY REVIEW
Rebecca Crunden is a new to me author. When I heard about A Touch of Death, I couldn’t wait to dive into it. I mean, I LOVE a good dystopian novel and this book sounded like it would be right up my alley…
A Touch of Death starts off 1000 years into the future and follows the story of Catherine and Nate. The last of humanity lives inside the walls of Cutta, The rich are sheltered from the famine and disease that ravage the rest of the community. But, money and power can only get you so far. Life is complicated for both Nate and Catherine. There are some things that have happened that can never be forgotten. When Nate disappears, it will be 2 years before he comes back home. If you thought things were complicated with Nate and Catherine before, you’ve got no idea how things will be now. One moment. One move will change the course of everything. Their lives will be turned upside down and they will be tested in ways the never expected….
A Touch of Death is an exciting and thrilling read that will take you on one heck of a roller-coaster ride. Now, I will be first to admit, it did take me a bit to get into the story. I felt a little confused at times, and there were some instances where the pacing was off, but once I got into the story, I couldn’t put it down.
A Touch of Death is filled with mystery and great twists & turns. I was kept guessing and left wanting more. The more I got to know Nate and Catherine, the more I had to devour their story. Their story left me on the edge my seat and I couldn’t wait to see how things would play out. As far as the ending goes, I would say it definitely felt open-ended. I’ve got a lot of questions and look forward to finding my answers.
All in all, I enjoyed A Touch of Death. This author is new to me, and I think she’s got a ton of great potential. I look forward to checking out more from her in the future.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*
Review: The Grace Year by Kim Liggett
No one speaks of the grace year. It’s forbidden.
Girls are told they have the power to lure grown men from their beds, drive women mad with jealousy. They believe their very skin emits a powerful aphrodisiac, the potent essence of youth, of a girl on the edge of womanhood. That’s why they’re banished for their sixteenth year, to release their magic into the wild so they can return purified and ready for marriage. But not all of them will make it home alive.
Sixteen-year-old Tierney James dreams of a better life—a society that doesn’t pit friend against friend or woman against woman, but as her own grace year draws near, she quickly realizes that it’s not just the brutal elements they must fear. It’s not even the poachers in the woods, men who are waiting for their chance to grab one of the girls in order to make their fortune on the black market. Their greatest threat may very well be each other.
With sharp prose and gritty realism, The Grace Year examines the complex and sometimes twisted relationships between girls, the women they eventually become, and the difficult decisions they make in-between.
MY REVIEW
The Grace Year is a title that I have been impatiently waiting to get my hands on. From the synopsis alone, I just knew this book was going to be special and that it would be thrilling. I mean, it sounded like all of my favorite dystoptian novels were wrapped into one. So, if you’re a fan of The Hunger Games, The Handmaid’s Tale or even Lord of the Flies, you are in for a real treat with The Grace Year.
The Grace Year follows the story of Tierney James. Tierney has always dreamed for a better life than the one she knows. She lives in a society where dreams are forbidden and where women are seen as the weaker sex. When a girl reaches her sixteenth birthday, she enters what is called her grace year, a time that no one dares to talk about. Rumor has it that women are filled with magical power that they must accept and eradicate in order to return home pure and ready for their husbands. But, what they don’t tell you is that you will be pitted against one another, that your friends are not who you thought they were, and that there is more to fear than just poachers in the woods….
As a huge fan of YA Dystopian novels, I couldn’t wait to see what The Grace Year would bring to the table. And let me tell you, it does not disappoint. This story is filled with mystery and intrigue. The plot is totally unique, yet has similar elements to some beloved dystopian novels. This story is gritty and intense at times and it will certainly keep you on your toes. This is a story of survival in the worst of circumstances, yet there is also hope for a better life and future. The Grace Year does have some romantic tones, but the romance does not drive the book, the plot does. The Grace Year is filled with lots of fantastic twists and turns and at times will have you questioning what you have gotten yourself into.
Overall, I found The Grace Year to be a very enjoyable read. I thought it was very unique and written well. I found myself glued to the pages and unable to put this book down. I know this is a YA book, but do not let that fool you. This book packs a punch and keeps you guessing the entire time. If you’re a fan of dystopian novels, I definitely would recommend giving The Grace Year a try.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book via the publisher & NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*
Blog Tour: North To Nara by Amanda Marin
Today we have the blog tour for Amanda Marin’s North to Nara! Check out this great new dystopian romance and grab your copy today!
Title: North to Nara
Author: Amanda Marin
Genre: YA Dystopian
About North to Nara:
Neve Hall has always admired the good works of the civil servants who brought prosperity back to the Nation. She especially respects the Sufferers—empaths who, with the help of technology, anonymously bear others’ troubles for them. But when her assigned empath is abruptly retired, she uncovers certain secrets. Like the identity of her new Sufferer, Micah Ward… and the fact that behind his kind smile is a life filled with loneliness and pain.
The closer Neve grows to Micah, the more desperate she becomes to protect him from a cruel and gruesome fate. But in a world where only a few are allowed the luxury of love, saving Micah comes with a price: Neve must choose between her loyalty to the Nation or her heart—a decision that will take them both on a race for their freedom, and their lives.
Grab Your Copy Today:
Amazon | Kobo | B&N | Apple Books | Google Play
Love Is Always Enough: A Character Interview with Neve Hall
Meet Neve Hall, the narrator of North to Nara. She’s 17, enjoys nature and animals, has a promising future working at the local museum… and is in love with the one person forbidden to her: Micah Ward, her Nation-assigned Sufferer. When following her heart is an act of treason, she’s forced to make one tough choice after another.
Q: What was it about Micah Ward that made you fall for him?
A: Micah is pretty much the exact opposite of my last boyfriend. Kael—my ex—wasn’t a good listener and could be selfish. I wasn’t a priority to him at all, and he really hurt me. I think that’s part of what drew me to Micah. He sees through to the real me, and he makes me feel safe. He loves me with his whole heart. If only all girls could date an empath!
Q: What was the scariest part of your adventure in this story?
A: Without giving anything away (of course!), there were so many moments where my heart was beating so fast I still can’t believe it didn’t burst. The obvious answer is toward the end, when Micah and I tried to escape the Nation. Yes, being chased through the mountains was definitely terrifying on the surface—but Micah and I were together, so it wasn’t the worst thing we went through. Instead, the most frightening time for me was when he was attacked during his sentencing. I thought he’d been killed. The idea of a world without him in it was horrifying.
Q: On a happier note, what was your favorite date with Micah?
A: We had to be pretty unconventional with our dates, since… you know… we were forbidden by law to see each other. There was a lot of sneaking around. A lot of close calls. That made everything more exciting, too. My favorite date with him, though, was just slow dancing together in his apartment on a rainy night. He played this old song from before the Nation was formed—“The Very Thought of You” by Billie Holiday. I didn’t expect him—this strong, distinguished guy—to do something sweet and vulnerable like that.
Q: What’s next for you and Micah?
A: We have a long road ahead of us before we can really have our happily-ever-after. For one thing, we’re on our own now, and we have to figure out how to survive in a completely different place, with no one to fall back on for help and a completely different language to learn. It’s intimidating, and everywhere we turn, the challenges keep racking up. We have each other, though, and I hope that’ll be enough. Love is always enough, I think.
The romance and adventure of North to Nara continues with its sequel, Sky to Sea, coming January 2020.
About Amanda Marin:
When Amanda was a child, her father traveled frequently for business, always bringing her back a book as a present. Whether she was getting lost in the pages of a tale about far-away knights, girls with supernatural powers, or kindly giants, she was quickly hooked on stories.
Over the years, Amanda has followed her own yellow brick road of reading and writing, and although her adventures haven’t involved sword fights or saving the planet from certain annihilation, they have involved jobs in scholarly publishing and marketing, a modest amount of travel, and a lifelong love of novels.
Amanda holds degrees in English from Salve Regina University and Boston College. Her favorite things include Starbucks lattes, lazy summer afternoons at the beach, and books with characters that make you go “awww.” She lives in New Hampshire with her family and furbaby, Snickers the Poodle.
Connect with Amanda:
Website | Amazon | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Goodreads | BookBub
Enter Amanda’s Giveaway
Throwback Thursday: The One by John Marrs
“What if it turns out our DNA doesn’t Match?” “Then we’ll be mindful that maybe we’ll need to put more effort into our relationship. Like John Lennon said, ‘All You Need Is Love.’” “Yes, but he also said, ‘I Am The Walrus,’ so let’s not hold too much credence to his pearls of wisdom.”
“If you’ve got the opportunity to love someone as much as they love you, then grab it with both hands and hold on to it for dear life.”
“Sometimes, the grass is not greener on the other side, and we should stay in the field where we belong. And sometimes we just need to take a gamble and hope for the best.”
“Maybe when you took it back to basics, that’s what love really was: just being there for someone when the sun rises and sets.”
How far would you go to find The One?
A simple DNA test is all it takes. Just a quick mouth swab and soon you’ll be matched with your perfect partner—the one you’re genetically made for.
That’s the promise made by Match Your DNA. A decade ago, the company announced that they had found the gene that pairs each of us with our soul mate. Since then, millions of people around the world have been matched. But the discovery has its downsides: test results have led to the breakup of countless relationships and upended the traditional ideas of dating, romance and love.
Now five very different people have received the notification that they’ve been “Matched.” They’re each about to meet their one true love. But “happily ever after” isn’t guaranteed for everyone. Because even soul mates have secrets. And some are more shocking than others…
A word-of-mouth hit in the United Kingdom, The One is a fascinating novel that shows how even the simplest discoveries can have complicated consequences.
Waiting for Wednesday: The Passengers by John Marrs
Release Date: August 27th, 2019
You’re riding in your self-driving car when suddenly the doors lock, the route changes and you have lost all control. Then, a mysterious voice tells you, “You are going to die.”
Just as self-driving cars become the trusted, safer norm, eight people find themselves in this terrifying situation, including a faded TV star, a pregnant young woman, an abused wife fleeing her husband, an illegal immigrant, a husband and wife, and a suicidal man.
From cameras hidden in their cars, their panic is broadcast to millions of people around the world. But the public will show their true colors when they are asked, “Which of these people should we save?…And who should we kill first?”
~~~~~February New Releases~~~~~
February 1st
Treating Her Right/In the Doctor’s Bed by Lori Foster
February 4th
February 5th
The Tiger Catcher by Paullina Simmons
February 9th
February 11th
February 12th
February 14th
February 18th
February 19th
February 21st
Finding the Fight by Brittney Sahin
February 22nd
February 25th
February 26th
Violent Delights by Jessica Hawkins
February 27th
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