Laura Vale's Blog

March's book reviews & recs including a 6 star cowboy romance you HAVE to read... and my favourite audiobook of March!

Blood of Desiderium is Ali Stuebbe's (aka. @bookedbyali) debut novel and an indie published book. Blood of Desiderium is book one in the series -- Ali recently announced book two will be titled Soul of Salvation - and I was lucky enough to be part of her arc team for book one!

It is a new adult dark fantasy, laced with spice, kinks and some 'taboo' elements - so please read the trigger warnings!

Emma, our FMC, is a prisoner - caged in a castle, by a collar, and by her father. She has been tortured and abused throughout her life, her Fae magic held at bay by the iron enclosing her throat. Emma is tormented whilst awake, and whilst asleep, haunted by a darkness that threatens to drag her under.

She wants freedom. She wants to be free from the chains and the pain her father has subjected her too. And to save the people of Deyadrum -- in turn saving herself. Emma looks to her friends and Shadow to help her find her way, and to rid the realm of her father and the Corrupted.

Writing & Style ️

Blood of Desiderium is a first person narrative and written in present tense. The book is multi-POV and gives insight into a various characters' point of views, but is predominantly focussed on Emma, the FMC, and the MMCs.

Each chapter has the name of the person whose POV its written in - so as long as you keep an eye on these at the beginning of the chapter, you should be able to follow easily.

The book is quick to throw you into action and intrigue, with the world-building and lore developed from page one. I personally felt that reading the world-building in this book felt effortless and full of depth -- delightfully non-confusing compared to some fantasy books!

I completely ate up the last 50% of the book and sped through it - thought I do warn you, it ends of dramatic cliffhanger which will leave you desperate for book two!

The Characters

Oh, Emma. Our FMC is trauma filled, her heart cracked and torn from a life physical, emotional and mental abuse at the hands of her father. The emotional scenes in this book hurt so damn bad, especially toward the end, and I felt so involved in her pain.

But Emma is also so gods damned powerful. She is fiesty, a fighter through and through, who wants to right by her realm and people despite all that she has experienced.

Prince Draven is the perfect MMC... dark, deliciosy, moody, guarded. What's not to like? He is powerful and possessive (what a combo) and his nicknames for Emma set me on fire ❤️‍

We also have found family with Kye and Cora who warm my little heart but... Prince Draven is definitely my favourite.

Spice Level ️

This book had me hot under the collar... the spice to plot level is, frankly, perfect (in my opinion) and drove me wild. Its sexy and dark and lil bit depraved - the book includes blood play and other kinks, so please read the TWs!

Favourite Quotes

"You should never have to dance to death's song alone, little demon."

"I want to kiss and lick every single one until you see how beautiful they are. Until you realize that these fucking scars are raising their middle fingers and screaming fuck you to your father. They are proof of your strength."

"Keep your eyes on me, little demon. I want to watch you as I enter you. I want to see your face when my c*ck fills you for the first time, marking this p*ssy as mine."

"I will be waiting for you in the world beyond this one."

Tropes & Favourite Elements

Enemies to Lovers ⚔️

Nightmares

Found Family

Spice & Kinks

Shadow Magic

Trauma & Healing ❤️‍

Fun Banter ☀️

Fated Mates ❤️‍

TBWW Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5

/ 5

I absolutely cannot wait to get my hands on Soul of Salvation -- I need to know answers to the many burning questions and I need more of Prince Draven in my life (and the sauciness that he brings along...). This book was undoubtedly one of favourite reads of 2022 and an INCREDIBLE debut for Ali.

Tricky Magic is a paranormal fantasy romance that will be forever carved into my heart and soul. This book is a piece of me - everything I love is woven into Lexi's books. Spice, humour, characters to fall head over heels for, and so much more... Lexi is an indie author, you can find her on Instagram here!

Brief Synopsis...

Ellea is a Trickster witch, who lives in Halifax with her familiar Billy. But her magic is rare and feared by other witches, especially after the actions of her parents... Ellea's nightmares are plagued by fiery visions of her future - so she moves to Glendale with Billy, in an attempt to unravel her magic. But she finds herself face to face with the brooding, mysterious Ros - who she's not sure if she wants to unalive or fuck.

Tricky Magic follow Ellea facing her nightmares, letting her walls come down, and finding the truth of her magic.

The Characters

This is the main reason the book has my WHOLE heart. I absolutely fell in love with the characters, not just our main characters, Ros and Ellea, but the side characters are also perfection

Ellea is an absolute bad-ass. She owns her power, her sexuality, her desires. But the life she's led, isolated from other witches who've feared her, means she's missed out on some things. Really dating being one them.... but oh, does it make for some heart-wrenching moments! She is so relatable despite being a bad-ass witch and an all round magic being ❤️‍

Then, there is Ros... our shadow daddy. He's grumpy, wears flannel, will fight and fuck you, his shadows can touch and feel... what is not to like?! Plus, the moments Ellea and Ros share together when they vulnerable are gods damned adorable. But essentially, Ros is setting the bar high ladies and gentleman!

And our side characters! Billy, Ellea's furry familiar and best friend; Sam, an alpha wolven and Ros' bestie; and Devon, Sam's partner, witch, warm, excitable puppy vibes. I absolutely adore all of them, but Devon has a special place in my heart

Spice Level

Holy hell, this book is saucy early on. It is deliciiiious. The first spicy scene features Ellea with a masseuse, followed by an MFMM foursome (witches like to share and are less prudish than many humans!), some rough outdoor fun, and so. Much. More.

If you're look for fantasy book with a heavy side of spice and some sharing this is the book for you.

Tropes & Favourite Elements

Enemies to Lovers ⚔️

Spice & Sharing

LGBTQ Representation

Forced Proximity

Grumpy Sunshine ☀️

Fantasy Set in the Modern World

Pop Culture References

Witches, Shifters, Demons, Vampires... ✨

The Cliffhanger!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5 / 5

Tricky Magic is the perfect mix of spice, banter and fun dialogue, magic and oh so much more. The plot, the sauciness, the rage romance (what I'm calling the 'fight or fuck' feels between Ros and Ellea), the found family, and the fact Ellea is such a bad-ass FMC who does not need saving - made Tricky Magic one of my favourite top five favourites books of 2022!

This book ends on a cliffhanger, BUT you're in luck - Tricky Princess is out now and ready for you to read!

These Wicked Lies was easily one of my favourite reads of 2022 - I was in love with our FMC from page one, and the banter between the characters had me constantly smiling. Plus, Miranda is one of my favourite Bookstagrammers and she's always happy to talk to indie authors or readers! These Wicked Lies is her debut novel - find her on the gram!

Astrid is a princess - a princess who can absorb life force from someone and transfer it to another. At a price. Only two people know what her magic truly does - her mother, the queen and her manipulator, and her best friend, Ilona.

When Astrid discovers she's been a pawn in her mother's game, she quickly finds she was not the only one. Her life has been forged in lies. As she tries to unravel her memories, the story she has lived, and the ones she doesn't remember - she works with unexpected allies to steal the throne and find her truth.

The Characters

I was in love with Astrid from page one - give me a bad-ass female main character who can take of herself, with a sharp tongue, and I am instantly in.

Astrid is morally grey, mistrusting, owns her sexuality, magically inclined, and has epic banter! She also loves smutty books and never failed to put a smile on my face.

Some of Astrid's favourite quick-witted comments include...

'Yep, the prince has the personality of a dead moth.'

'Not an uptight prince with the personality of a doorknob.'

See - Astrid is queen of amusing insults.

Dash, our MMC love interest, I am currently unsure of... read the book and you will understand my feels. One moment I wanted to jump his bones... the next I wanted to punch him in the throat. But you know how it is with book boyfriends. Then in comes Lexyll to throw me even more off the scent - there are mild love triangle vibes BUT I know where this goes in book two *eyebrow wiggle*

Spice Level

This book is a slowwww burn and full of a constant, unyielding sexual tension (drove me crazy obviously). BUT, Miranda gave us the moment of spice we needed to ease the tension - momentarily, of course - only for it to be hiked up to a ten again.

The spice in These Wicked Lies is quite mild - 2 out of five!

Favourite Quotes

Tropes & Favourite Elements

Enemies to Lovers ⚔️

Multiple Love Interests (trust me on this one!)

Political Intrigue

Forced Proximity

Fated Mates ❤️‍

The Cliffhanger!

I do warn you - the cliffhanger is pretty hefty, but it will leave you reeling for These Wicked Truths! Released 23rd March 2023

These Wicked Lies had me enthralled from the first page. It will put a smile on your face, the characters are interesting and full of depth, the friendships and relationships contrasting, the world-building is complex but doesn't melt your brain - if you pick up this book (you should) you most likely will not want to put it down ✨

The first book in Miranda's series A Court of Malice is also due to be published in spring 2023 - look out for A Curse of Malice & Mercy, you can add it to your Goodreads TBR now !

This book. THIS BOOK. This book is the first of Jescie Hall's book I read (thanks to Bookstagram) and I think I highlighted 70% of This Sik Luv. Have I booked to get a quote tattooed on my body - yes I have.

I have never read a book like this. The only thing its perhaps comparable to is Haunting Adeline by H.D Carlton with the spice level and some of the content - but this is ON ANOTHER LEVEL. Here is my forever warning, READ THE TWs, this book has a long list of them so PAY ATTENTION.

This Sik Luv is a dark (very dark) romance with the weight of sexual sin and religious trauma at the heart of it. There is a long list of trigger warnings (you can find them on Jescie's IG) ranging from CNC and knife play to somnophilia - which you should read before start the book.

Brief Synopsis

Briony is set to be the first female Magnus Princeps - a fact that is upsetting some members of the Church. But Briony has a stalker. A stalker who leaves her notes with daggers in her bedroom. A stalker who wants her to bloom outside of her religion and see the truth of that is hidden from her. A stalker who seeks revenge and wants to help her revel in sin.

Characters

Let's talk about the big sexy, scary man in the room - Aero. Aero is possibly the most morally black character I've read - and loved, of course. Aero takes what he wants with no apologies, and despite his dark af nature, his backstory makes you understand his actions (to an extent at least) and motivations.

I think there is the misconception and comparison with Zade from Haunting Adeline - but I don't think the comparison can be, or should be, drawn. They are totally different characters with different relationships to the FMC.

Aero is dragging Briony from the darkness into the light (or perhaps the other way around) and helping her escape the stifling patriarchal conditioning of her religion.

Oh, and he wears a mask. Is rather large downstairs... and he's pierced.

Briony - I loved her. I loved her finding herself and unravelling the truth and lies of what she's been taught and born into. I loved her choosing her sexuality and her power and leaning into what made her feel good despite what she'd been fed all of her life.

I loved how she transformed, with Aero at her side, into someone who sought revenge with a fire in her belly. And how she helped heal Aero and cause an internal shift.

Their relationship is absolutely toxic and dangerous and depraved - but it still brings their growth, their healing, their truth. It's an awakening for both of them and it was incredible to read.

Spice

The spice in this book is kinky and taboo AF. It has so many spicy scenes that include: consensual non-consent, degradation, anal, knife play, somnophilia, spitting, blood play, breath play, gun play, humiliation... when I say the list goes on I mean it. READ THE TWs folks!

But gods, it got me excited about things I'd never even considered before... The book is very heavily spice / smut focussed, but I didn't once think it was predictable or too much and fed into the plot perfectly in my opinion.

And the dirty talks... oh my Gods. This was one of the things that made this book so deliciously spicy.

"Beg for my cum, church girl."

This book will absolutely not be for everyone. But I adored it. It was dark, depraved, a touch sacrilegious. Its a woman finding her power, accepting her sexuality and sins with a man by her side, edging her into the darkness. It is spicy af and will give you some new kinks if you're anything like me...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5

️️️️️ / 5

But I have said it once (or three times) and I will say it again - this book is full of trigger warnings. Read them! This Sik Luv is amazingly written, addresses some hard hitting topics, is full of spice and kinks, and I loved every second.

Find more of my favourite quotes here!

This book altered my brain chemistry. I said it - the Lazarus is Marlow Locker's debut novel, and holy gods IT IS AMAZING. And Marlow is absolutely lovely, you should go follow her on Instagram @m.lockkerreads

The Lazarus is a standalone dark romance, inspired by comic books, with a side of spice. It is interconnected with upcoming books in a the series, but they follow different characters. As a standalone it delivers a satisfying ending with no cliffhangers and a HEA (yay!)

It is a book that delves into the depth of darkness and how you can find the strength in those parts of yourself. Well, that's what I took from it.

Brief Synopsis

When Caden walks into June's life, everything she knows about black and white, heroes and villains, good and evil, is changed. She steps into the darkness, the unknown, with Caden at her side, to find the truth of who she is and wants to be in shadows of Vernum City. And together they face those who want to taken them down and destroy what they've worked so hard to create.

Writing Style

The Lazarus is first person, present tense, dual POV - written from the perspectives of our FMC, June, and our MMC, Caden. The first person present combo helps you get intensely caught up in their world and the whirlwind of emotions.

The pacing of this book was so on point. It was at the 10% mark that the story was thrown into action and I was already so invested by this point - but by 50% through I didn't want to put it down.

World Building

Vernum City isn't a fantasy world as such, so there isn't the same weight of describing an unknown or new world. But it is contemporary with heavily influenced from comics, so its very atmospheric and dark without the need for continuous description to feel into the world.

In saying that, I could easily (and still can) picture the different environments and locations. I can feel into the atmosphere and the scents and sounds and colours.

Characters

This is the element of the Lazarus that had me in an absolute chokehold. I fell head over heels into an obsession with June (aka. Hex) and Caden (aka. the Lazarus) - everything about them made me want to be them... and be with them. There was a such an incredible image and story built for both of them

Caden is our morally grey MMC. Tattooed. Dark Hair. Muscular. Fighter with a gun. Our favourite type. He is a falls first guy who is OBSESSED with June in the most perfect way. Yes he's possessive af, but he gives her choices, he shows her how to carve a path for herself, he gives her all the tools to take what she wants and become who she wants to be. Also he has a rather large and pierced D... AND he wears a mask... yum.

Then there is June. Oh Hex. My love. My muse. My alter-ego (I wish). June is a woman I want to be with and want to be. She is powerful, she kicks-ass, she fights, she sees her dark parts and embraces them to become everything she could be and more. She steps into shadow with Caden at her side.

Spice

Omfg. This book was a slow, delicious burn with the best pay off that made everythiiiing worth it. The spice is rough and kinky in some places (check TWs as always) and holy hell I bloody loved it.

Favourite Quotes

"It takes courage to play in the darkness." (Wallpaper here!)

"But I'm a sinner, and always will be. Dragging out her monsters from the depths of her soul every time she was told she's too much. I want it all. And I'll fucking take it all."

"You forget you're fucking with death, Sweetheart."

''Ive never felt so powerful than when my name replaces God's on her tongue.'

"Oh, Sweetheart... I'm going to crack you open and drag out that power that already exists. And together, we'll fucking rule."

"Some men want women who cook; some men want women who fuck. Having a woman who makes sure your pistols are ready and loaded makes my cock throb, growing until it's raging and begging itself into her sweet cunt."

"The poison and antidote all in one infuriating cocktail that had me aching to bury myself in her cunt and pray to her like she's an altar to my new religion."

"To have the most fun, you have to be open to anything, obviously. Confining yourself to one gender sounds boring as fuck, you're cutting out half the people in the world."

"What does it mean to be a hero?"

"We can't distinguish our true soul from the scripts we recite."

Features & Tropes

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• Forbidden love ❤️‍• Found family • Slow burn spice • Heroes, Villains and Vigilantes • Men in masks • Dark and twisty

TBWW Ratings

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5

/ 5

If you like dark romances with powerful, kick-ass FMCs with strong men in masks (with pierced ds) by their side, comic book and vigilante vibes - this book is an absolute must read! I adored this book and have no doubt you will too!