Queen Takes Sunfires: Book 2

Queen Takes Sunfires #2

by Joely Sue Burkhart

A secret burns inside me that will very likely get me killed.

The wolf king may have gotten me out of Chicago alive, but he couldn’t burn rubber fast enough to get away from me once he’d dropped me off at his sister’s. Wearing nothing but a hospital gown and his borrowed coat, I have to face an Aima queen for the first time. Alone.

Luckily, she has enough scruples to fill me in on some vampire queen basics without trapping me into a sibling alliance without my knowledge. There is so much about this world that I don’t know. I’ve never lived as a vampire queen. I’ve certainly never fed.

I have no one on my side. No Blood of my own. I don’t know who to trust.

With Soldiers of Light and blazing sunfires on my trail, I’m trapped. I’ve got nowhere else to go.

But they aren’t taking me back to Heliopolis alive.

Note: Karmen is recovering from abuse with flashbacks to her past, which may be triggering to survivors of sexual assault.

Genres: Vampires, Paranormal, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Shapeshifters, Magic

206 pages, ebook

First published February 17, 2021

About the author

I write books. Sometimes I even finish them!

Reviews

[TrulyDeeplyBookishly_708456 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another fabulous Vampire Queen book from Joely 🥰

Karmen is truly a Queen to behold. I love how vulnerable she is, which is so unlike most of the Queen’s we’ve met so far.

While I don’t normally enjoy slow burn (no steam for 2 books!) it does make sense for Karmen and what she’s been through.

[Jessica S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goddesses, Karmen is powerful. Astonishingly so. And ten Blood off the bat? Good for you, girl. But honestly, I’m very glad it’s a slow burn (ha!) because it wouldn’t feel right otherwise.

Also, Eivind. I pity you; best of luck and hope you didn’t lose your wolf…though maybe he abandoned you… Can that happen? Is that a thing?

[Jacquleen W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

I love how all the stories are woven together. Something is coming and it's amazing to watch all these queens level up. I can't wait for more karmen, helayana, and little unicorn princess!

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth the wait. An absolute fantastic read! Joely Sue, has done it again. Wow. I can't wait for the next book.

[Teela (bookdragontee) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I don’t have any power. If you knew what I’ve lived through, you would laugh. I’m the epitome of powerless.”

She shook her head slowly.

“You may not know how to use it, or from where it comes, but I feel the resonance within you. You’re deep, Karmen. Deep like the Grand Canyon. Roots and branches spanning worlds like Yggdrasil. Bottomless, actually. I couldn’t find an end to the depths of your capacity.”

Can I just say right out the gate that I love Karmen and Helayna's friendship. These two women have endured unspeakable horrors, and the kinship between them made me want to weep. Especially on Karmen's behalf. Girl deserves the godsdamned world.

And Joely gives it to her.

Karmen is still deeply traumatized from her centuries as Ra's captive, but the growth we see in this book is beautiful and even profoundly moving at times.

Also - her Blood? FUCKING GENIUS. I won't spoil it because you absolutely need to experience it all and the revelations, etc. blind, but Joely's imagination is quickly becoming my new favorite thing. And these men were exactly what Karmen needed most, especially when she's forced to face off against Septet, Ra's son and one of her worst tormentors.

And getting to see Shara in action as a Triune Queen? I was LIVING for it! I need more. I love watching these Queens interact with each other. I need more of that in my life.

Love this series. Loved this spin-off book. Absolutely cannot fucking WAIT for the next one. I need to know what happens with Karmen next!

“Heliopolis changed me, yes. It changed us all. Great pain and sorrow do. I feared that my core would be destroyed over the centuries, but one day, I realized that nothing could change the heart of me. I am still [spoiler] though all else was burned away.”

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/24/2023)! 🎁

[Amber Cannizzaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Psa. This story may contain triggers for some people. The main character does recount several accounts of her past traumas as she tries to work through them.

Karmens story is packed with action and a woman learning to deal with years of trauma as she trues to find herself.
Its starts where book one ended... Karmen being brought to a safe place after the hell shes endured. Shes a broken woman, mentally and physically... Yet things aren't over for her. Ra's son is after her, in an attempt to claim his father's throne he must also Claim Gods wife. But Karmen isnt the same broken woman she was and she will do everything in her power to make sure no one ever controls her again.
I highly recommend this series to anyone who's read the "Their Vampire Queen" series so far. This is incredible and more than worth the wait! I love every second of it and cant wait for the final book!

[Teri Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grips you from the beginning and doesn’t let go

Long live House Sunna. While Karmen’s beginning in life is heart wrenchingly sad, she is free now and learning how her power works. The first 2 installments of Karmen’s story are quite a bit different than any of the Isador books probably due to her captivity. In other words no sexy times yet. However, the storyline and intensity of Karmen’s transition more than make up for that lack. Her Blood care only for helping her heal and gain strength and there is the hint of more to come. I can’t wait to see how Karmen extracts her revenge on the High Priest Amun. Well worth the purchase.

[Miss · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a goddess indeed,and her name is Joely Sue Burkhart

I've been obsessed with Joely's work from the first Queen Takes novel I read,which I admit in shame was my first. And like the Queen's that she gives us in her stories,so is she. All the trials(literally and figuratively) that she endures, she does with strength and grace,and never forgets her own loving subjects,her readers. All hail Queen Joely,another masterpiece I sped thru,loving every moment of fear,anger,pain,laughter,and love. Always love. Thank you for this book,I truly treasure each and every single one.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

I love how all the queen's are incredibly strong but have had to go through serious trials to get there. Their lives have denoted their strength, in more ways than one.

I also like that not all the queen's are not carbon copies of each other but work together so well. They're all parts of the same puzzle.

One of my favourite long running series and honestly can't wait for more!

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long live House Sunna! Great next chapter. Picking up from QTS1, the story slides right into Karmen's taking back her power after centuries of abuse. She is free now and learning how that power, along with her men's powers, work. She's discovering both how to sate the appetites, and the pleasures, of being an Aima Queen as she settles into the family is stayed, of which she has few memories of from before she was abducted, in the Frozen Northlands. Shara and Gwen both make cameo appearances as Karmen turns to them in her Quest for answers and physical healing. QTS2 is well worth both the wait and the purchase.

[Kelsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

improving!

Coming off the Shara isador main character, Karmen initially let me down. The prequel/first book was horrid. How could the author let treatment such as this stand! I felt the same with the princess takes academy book 1. How did we possibly recover from such a deeply troubling backstory? How do you deal with Aima that turn their backs? This story was getting there but I still have no clue how our author is going to spin our story. Everyone else (beside Karmen) has such an interesting start! I can’t wait to see wha they end up doing. I’m holding my judgement on Karmen until some plot points can be ironed out.

[Fritz Sands · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a reread -- since the next Queen Takes Sunfires book is out and I wanted to have the characters straight in my mind.

First -- you really need to read the Their Vampire Queen series before these books or you will be bewildered.

The development arc of Karmen is phenomenal and SO different from that of Shara. I applaud the author is making such a different Queen. The pain of her horrible trauma informs the book totally.

Anyways, an excellent, excellent book and I am starting on the next one.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary: can’t get enough

Wow the story keeps me turning to the next page. It keeps you hoping for that happy ever after since Karmen has been through so much trauma and pain her whole life. Such an interesting twist on what Sunfires are and the souls that bond with them. Story ends on cliffhanger!!! Nooooo I hope next book is out soon.

[Jayde Powell]

love this Queen

Her blood is awesome but I really hope she gets her a Wolf King he knows he did wrong and really wants to fix it cross my fingers that she does take him. Can’t wait for the third episode in this fab series

[Briana Weller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was more like the original series. Karmans road to recovery felt a bit rushed though as after 25yrs of abuse I don't see someone recovering like that but I'm still excited to see her journey continue

[Debra Johnson]

Amz Purch. April 24, 2023

[gio · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Karmen showed up in Queen takes Darkness, I already knew her novella would be the best.
I can’t wait for book three.

[Tween 2 Teen Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basically just Queen Takes Darkness from another POV. IMO they should have been bundled together as one book

[Vernon Haning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprise

Quite a few secrets were revealed and questions answered in this book! We finally learned more about Ra's domain and the history of his skeleton guards

[Cindyg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommend!

[Ciru · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection!

We not only get Karmen coming into her power, Helyana and her Blood...but Shara and her Blood as well.


I am so happy! That was such a treat to read.

Let me tell you, how Eivind got left in the dust...he deserves it! But for now, because if by book 3 they are still having a tit for tat relationship with Karmen, that'll be childish.

I'm looking forward to Helyana's book next. Homegirl tried, but she needs some more Blood in her corner.

Four questions have been left pending.
What happens to Harris in this mix?
What will happen as a result of Karmen's blood being out there?
What will happen to Heliopolis?
What about the 'situation'? And honestly I don't know how to feel about it and I am looking forward to seeing how JSB will handle it.

Long Live House Isadora and the consolidation of the Triune!

[Living a little by Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating : 2/5 ... meh not into it

Review in french : cliquez ici

Review in english : I was disappointed by this novel which seemed promising. The plot is original, the writing is pleasant but I simply did not manage to get attached to the characters.

I did not fall in love with this book at all. Karmen is an interesting and well-constructed character. She has been through hell and now she has to survive and regain her memory.

My problem was with the love interests. They are not original or crush worthy : one is hard and totally rejects the link with Karmen and the others .... are skeletons of former warriors. The skeleton aspect really disturbed me.

For my part, I will not read the rest of the series.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute Perfection

I thought I couldn’t adore this whole Aima world anymore than I did after reading Shara’s story. I was so wrong. Queen takes Sunfires was blended into the other story lines to perfection. It didn’t just compliment them, it lifted the whole Aima world into something I love even more and connected some dots along the way. I enjoy getting to know and watch each Queen grow into their lives and Blood at their own pace and facing their obstacles in their own way. Each one is so different yet strong in ways only a true Queen could be. I can’t wait to see Karmen truly overcome everything that has happened to her and learn how to live and thrive with her Blood at her side. She absolutely deserves it. Can’t wait for the next story!!

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. it was well worth the wait. I loved Karmen she begins to come away from the abused woman she was and become a powerful queen. The best thing I have found is that with the queens calling newer not of this world blood. I was a little confused as to who is her alpha as I don't think it was properly mentioned but her blood are amazing. It was great to see Shara and Helenya again. Does Vivian now have split loyalties have to wait and see. The scenes with Evinid were priceless I hope he can prove himself worthy in the future for Karmen.

New queens and new way of doing things something big must be about to happen. I can't wait to see what happens next.

[Becky A · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Queen Takes Sunfires 2" received THREE AND A HALF stars.

The novel gained *stars* for these items:

* gained for: "The book caught my interest in the first five pages."

1/2 * gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."

* gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."

* gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"

The novel failed to gain stars for this item:

NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically try anything she/he/they writes."

[B. Sofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I genuinely don’t know how to express my love for this author! JSB you are literally my favourite. My inspiration and I never ever ever want this to end! I cannot wait for book three and in the meantime I’m catching up on all the other spin offs and short stories. Might even get started on the dinosaur romance 🥲🥲🤩

If you are on the bench still on whether you should read this series or this author, I cannot tell you how much you won’t regret it! 😭😭😭😭😭🔥

Their Vampire Queen - heavy on the smut and RH monster vibes 😏

Sunfire trilogy - slow burn but oh so worth it for the plot! 😋

Darkness series - I’m ready to read book 2 🤩

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finally got to read this today, and same as the other books in Their Vampire Queen series, I had to finish it before I could do anything else. I can't seem to eat or sleep otherwise. I think I'm past the point of obsession.

I didn't think any other Queen would steal my heart like Shara but Helayna and Karmen are slowly winning me over too.

Now, I'm probably going to reread the whole series again. And spend hours wondering why I don't have my own Shara f*ing Isador irl. And compare the sad mortals around me to these glorious Aima.

Long live Shara.

[N'Gomo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joely Sue Burkhart did it again

I love visiting this world. While there's certainly plenty of pain, there's also giant amounts of strength, courage, and eventual happiness. Well once one gets past how some of the characters have stuffed their heads up their own butts, and is hellbent on keeping them there, despite realizing that it stinks in there anyway.

All of the books in this series are amazing, and I will continue to buy all of them, just as soon as I see that a new one has been released and so should you.

Happy reading

[Jeri L. Moseley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

God Joely! I know we've all said you have a way with words but this was epic. The tension you portrayed, the new revelations, I'm in awe. I along with all your fellow devotees eagerly await anything written by you but I have to admit that the world of Shara and her fellow Queens will always hold a special place in my heart. Take care of yourself and know that I'll be eagerly awaiting to one-click your next book.