Tag Archives: Sariah Wilson

A Vow of Embers by Sariah Wilson – a Review

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A Vow of Embers by Sariah Wilson – a Review

 

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Description:
Lia is always prepared for battle, but being blackmailed into marriage by Prince Alexandros is a challenge too far. She has no choice. He’s holding her sister hostage to force her hand. But with this union built on betrayal and rage comes a contract. By the goddess’s law, the marriage must not be consummated. A relief to Lia. She’d rather commit regicide than fall into bed with a man she loathes.

There is one other saving grace. Marriage gives Lia access to the palace and a chance to uncover the truth about the treasured eye of the goddess―and the magic it holds. But something inexplicable and impossible to ignore soon binds Lia and the prince. By night they walk in each other’s dreams, and by day they share each other’s pain.

As longing and trust grow between Lia and Alexandros and inhibited desires are set free, outside forces rise against them, posing an ever-present danger. Not only to the throne but to their very lives.

 

 

Review :

A Vow of Embers by Sariah Wilson is the second book in her The Eye of the Goddess series. The story picks up right after the cliff hanger ending of A Tribute of Fire. Lia has been forced into a marriage with Prince Alexandros in order to save her sister: Quynh being a hostage. In the first book, Lia fell hard for the charming Jason, who turns out to actually be Prince Alexandros.  While Lia is playing the happy bride publicly, she watches her chained sister serve wine to guests, which infuriates her.  But she will learn from her sister, the Prince has been offering his protection, especially from the growing relationship between Quynh and Thrax, the Prince’s captain.

Both characters carry grievances against each other. The slow burn between romance begins to build on a genuine emotional connection.  The banter between them maintains wit and intelligence even when they’re trying to wound each other. Lia and Xander continue to have one of the most complicated relationships ever, but we can see how much they truly love each other. They both shared dream sequences between Lia and Alexandros, which shows advances, developing romance, prophecy and intervention; making moments feel simply passionate.

I loved the supporting characters, especially Lia’s adelphia sisterhood relationships (Lo, Suri, Zalira, Ahyana, Demaratus & Kungburu (a special pet), who provide crucial emotional friendship and help. Their found family was so great together, as they were all so good. Lia is still fighting to save her family and her country amidst political intrigue, feelings for her husband, new relationships, and a country on the brink of war.

What follows is an exciting last half of the book, that had some surprising twists and turns along the way.   The story was gripping and compelling, tense, intrigue, intense chemistry and the character development. A Vow of Embers was a wonderful romantasy mythology that had me unable to put the book down.  Lia was a terrific heroine, who was captivating and determined, as she had a wonderful sister’s group. A Vow of Embers was so very well written by Sariah Wilson.  I will say that the cliffhanger was an amazing twist.  

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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A Tribute of Fire by Sariah Wilson – a Review

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A Tribute of Fire by Sariah Wilson – a Review

 

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Description:
Lia is the princess of Locris, a dying desert nation cursed centuries ago by an earth goddess—one still worshipped by the thriving and adversarial nation of Ilion. Every year, Ilion offers the goddess a sacrifice: two Locrian maidens forced to compete in a life-and-death race to reach her temple. In a millennium, no maiden has made it out of Ilion alive. This year, Lia is one of the hunted.

An education in battle gives her a fighting chance, but the challenges are greater than she feared: Lia’s beloved but untrained sister Quynh has been put in the path of danger. The winding streets of Ilion itself have been transformed into a labyrinthine maze of countless choices and dead ends. And if the risks weren’t significant enough, Lia is reluctantly drawn to the commandingly attractive Jason, an Ilionian sailor she loathes to trust and desires like no man before.

The tribute game is on. It’s up to Lia to lift the goddess’s curse, restore Locris to its former glory, and change the fate of every young woman destined to follow in her path.

 

 

Review:

A Tribute of Fire by Sariah Wilson is the first book in her new series, The Eye of the Goddess. Lia, our heroine, is the princess of Locris; a dying nation that was cursed centuries ago by an earth goddess.  Ilion is another nation that thrives, leaving Locris suffering for over 1000 years; the rival nation of Ilion annually brings food, and chooses two Locrian maidens to compete in a brutal life or death race, with men chasing the maidens. Lia is chosen as one of the maidens, and to her surprise, her younger sister, Quynh is also chosen.

On the ship before they arrive at Ilion, Lia meets a sailor, Jason, who both become attracted to each other; during the time on the ship, Lia and Jason become closer, with both able to have a connection during their dreams.  Jason was sexy, intense and romantic; and Lia was totally into him.

The moment Lia steps off the boat, she knows that they need to find the temple, as they are being chased.   Ilion men who are chasing the maidens from their enemy nation, but allow a chance at freedom and serving their goddess as a priestess. Things are hardest as Quynh is not very good running away, with Lia doing her best to force her along, until an accident causes her to fail. Lia manages to find the temple and in time she will play a large part of learning the abilities. 

I loved how Lia became close to a group of girls, who considered themselves ‘sisters’.  It was a great found family trope, as the group shared a very close connection between them; the sisters, Io, Suri, Zalira, Ahyana, Demaratus and especially Kungburu (a special pet).  Lia’s training excelled, and she did have an enemy (Artemisia), who was determined to force her out of the temple. Though she was happy at the temple, and her wonderful friends, she was still on her quest to find a way to discover the powerful relic of the goddess, and save her people.

What follows is an exciting last half of the book, that had some surprising twists and turns along the way.   A Tribute of Fire was a wonderful romantasy mythology that had me unable to put the book down.  Lia was a terrific heroine, who was captivating and determined, as had a wonderful sister’s group. A Tribute of Fire was so very well written by Sariah Wilson.  I will say that the cliffhanger was a total surprise, which leads us to hope that Sariah Wilson will us book 2 sooner than later. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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Hypnotized by Love by Sariah Wilson – a Review

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Hypnotized by Love by Sariah Wilson – a Review

 

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Description:
Hypnotist Savannah Sinclair is known for helping clients overcome their deep-rooted issues, from anxiety to addiction. But her nontraditional approach also attracts plenty of skeptics—including her high school nemesis and rival, Mason Beckett, who just so happens to be the boy who broke her heart.

Mason’s life hasn’t gone according to plan. His latest novel was a flop, and the only gig he can land is writing a scathing exposé of his hometown hypnotist, Savannah. But in order to write an authentic article, he has to be a willing participant. Hypnosis is the last thing he he’s shedding his negative nature and opening himself up to new experiences…and when a fire alarm interrupts their session, Mason walks out into the real world entranced and sporting a sunny disposition and a tendency to say yes.

Hypnotized Mason is fearless, revealing things he’s never told a soul, acting completely out of character, and leading Savannah on a frantic chase to keep him safe. He likes his new self. The problem is, so does Savannah. She can’t fall in love with a man who’s in a trance, but can she keep him still long enough to get him to snap out of it?

 

 

Review:

Hypnotized by Love by Sariah Wilson is fun enemies to lover’s story line.  We meet Savannah Sinclair, our heroine, who is a hypnotist, helping clients get past their issues, such as anxiety, addiction, etc. Savannah herself, has a lot of issues in her own life, especially being insecure and lacking self- confidence. Sierra, Savannh’s twin sister, was always trying to convince her to lighten up, but she knows her sister holds grudges forever. 

Mason Beckett, Savannah’s former crush and best friend, is back in town; and she wants nothing to do with him, since she blames him for destroying her life a long time ago. Mason is determined to win her back, even if she hates him now, but he is totally infatuated with Savannah, and later he will learn that what happened years before was a miscommunication, which did not involve him.   

Savannah finds herself spending time with Mason, especially after allowing her to hypnotize him as a test; and she begins to have feelings for him, but doing her best to not fall in love with him.  Mason was such a great guy, very patient and totally going out of his way to prove his feelings to her.  I will say, I thought Savannah was very annoying, with her grudges, and not looking for the truths. Though the banter between Mason and Savannah was very good.

I loved the relationship between Savannah and Sierra, as they were so close and Sierra was a sweetheart. I thought that Sierra came across as more mature, honest then Savannah. Even to the very end, Savannah continued to be very frustrating, being her own worst enemy, as she would sabotage anything, even if she needed to recognize the truth. 

Hypnotized by Love was a heartwarming story, that was fun, fast paced, swoon, wonderful relationship with sisters, and love. I wasn’t crazy about Savannah, until the end; but I did adore Mason, and liked Sierra.  Hypnotized by Love was very well written by Sariah Wilson.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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The Hollywood Jinx by Sariah Wilson – a Review

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The Hollywood Jinx by Sariah Wilson – a Review

 

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Description:
When Hollywood comes to small-town Ohio, the scene is set for an unpredictable romance in a fun and flirty novel by Sariah Wilson, the bestselling author of The Chemistry of Love . The small town of Patience needs a financial boost. Temporary librarian and aspiring film-score composer Jane Wagner’s plan? Invite movie star Nick Haddon to the town’s harvest festival and stand back for the tourist surge. No one thought he’d say yes―much less that he’d bring a documentary crew to stream his visit. Given Nick’s affinity for trouble, his reputation and films are tanking. Patience is the perfect stopover on a journey of self-improvement and his chance to put good karma out in the universe. Spending time with a sweet and lovely guide like Jane is a bonus. But Jane’s heartbroken past keeps her on guard against men. Especially when they’re jinxed. The truth is, Jane’s falling hard. But she can’t ignore the differences between them. He’s famous. She isn’t. He’s here for two weeks. This is her home. Where can it possibly lead? She’ll see. Because day after blissful day, Nick’s encouraging Jane to trust again and, best of all, to dream beyond Patience.

 

 

Review:

The Hollywood Jinx by Sariah Wilson is a fun sweet standalone novel.  We meet Jane Wagner, our heroine, who lives in a small town of Patience, Ohio. She is a librarian, as well as an aspiring composer.  Patience is in financial trouble, as they need help, especially with their upcoming festival (fundraiser to bring in money); she and her sister-in-law enter a video to hopefully bring a famous actor to attend the annual Harvest Festival.   To their surprise, the actor’s management team agrees for him to attend the event; with a celebrity coming to town, it is expected to create a tourist surge. 

Nick Haddon, our hero, arrives in Patience, with his film crew; who will be filming a documentary on Nick’s two week stay in town and the festival. Nick’s reputation has sunk, as his recent films have tanked, and this visit could very well be his chance at self-improvement and change what he feels is a Jinx. His publicist insists that Jane be the one to keep an eye on him and insure he does not overindulge.  Jane reluctantly agrees, with her sister pushing her to stay close.  When Nick arrives, Jane and the town are in their glory, being starstruck by Nick Haddon.

Jane finds herself fighting off her attraction to Nick, especially since he is only interested in Jane; she is determined not to become involved, as she had been heartbroken in the past. Since he is staying at Jane’s house, it becomes more difficult, as they are together a lot, especially since Nick was a lot of fun, and a great guy.  The town of Patience opened their heart to Nick, including helping them finance the festival.  Nick is determined to win Jane over, despite her fighting her feelings and chemistry between them.

The secondary characters were all great, especially her pregnant sister-in-law and best friend, town/library friends, and a terrific small town that was totally into Nick (and Jane).  Jane finally opens her heart, as she has fully fallen for Nick.  But she is concerned about what the future holds, and their differences.  He’s famous. She isn’t. He’s here for two weeks. This is her home. Where can it possibly lead?

The Hollywood Jinx is a sweet charming romance, that was so very well written by Sariah Wilson.  I really loved Nick and Jane together, as they were cute and so much fun, with wonderful banter between them. I loved the epilogue, as it was heartwarming, wonderful and entertaining. I wholly suggest you read The Hollywood Jinx, as it was a great read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

 

 

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