To be totally honest, I feel like I’m drowning in ARCs, but I never can pass on a promising sign-up. Here is my complete list of promising and sometimes highly anticipated releases. (Part 1, the list is too long…)
This list is going to be chronological, and I’m starting my list of shames, a.k.a. my overdue ARCs.
Cursed and Fated Vampires Omnibus of Books 1-3 by MADDIE ROSE ANDRY
It was due on March 3rd, and honestly, I have no idea why I have not started it yet. Probably because of the sheer volume of this edition — it’s over 1000 pages. I would like to use this article to thank The Nerd Farm for this opportunity, and I promise, I have not forgotten it, I will read it. Eventually.
Book overview:
What if vampires had a soul? A soul that carries the memories and awareness of each previous life and incarnation?
In this Gothic fantasy romance where the passion of Romeo and Juliet meets the sacrifice of Braveheart, Dr. Phenice Jones is plagued by gruesome nightmares of a cursed Egyptian Queen. When these nightmares bleed into Phenice’s waking hours, her past traumas threaten to overwhelm her and destroy her carefully constructed existence.
Everything Phenice thought she knew about life changes after a late-night attack by supernatural hunters where her fate unfolds as she undergoes a transformation from a mortal woman to a vampire. In doing so, all of Phenice’s past human incarnations merge into her immortal body, giving her powers she thought only existed in myths.
With the memories of her soul intact, Phenice must deal with her past, come to terms with her destiny outlined by The Fates, and cope with rediscovering her fated mate all while imminent danger is lurking in the darkness.
Will Phenice be able to overcome her pain, trust in The Fates, and open her heart? Or will sacrifices have to be made that could change the trajectory of the world?
What to expect:
Epic World Building/Gothic Horror Vibes
Mythology: Vampires, Demons/Shifters, Gods/Goddesses, The Fates
Fated Mates/Star-crossed Lovers
FMC: Fierce, Loyal, Resilient
MMC: Morally Grey, Stalker, Possessive
Spicy Slow Burn (open-door)
Who Hurt You?
Mental Health Rep (C-PTSD)
Fantasy Traumance
Feminine Rage
Found Family
Similar to Born of Blood and Ash, by Jennifer L. Armentrout, as well as The Songbird and the Heart of Stone, by Carissa Broadbent, with an Urban Fantasy twist.
WARNING: This book contains subject matter that may be sensitive for some readers. There is dark and possibly triggering content between these pages. 18+ and mature readers only. Please proceed with caution and read responsibly. Full content guidance is available on the author’s website under the content guidance tab.
Read book 1 here.
The Otherworldly Admin series by JANELLE SEEGMILLER
Again, slightly over-booked myself at the time, simply as that. Promise I will read this omnibus shortly! As soon as I am finished all of my upcoming ARCs, I’m planning to go back to the overdue list.
Book overview:
A newly recovered cozy workplace fantasy trilogy, perfect for the corporate girlies.
After getting laid off, Linda is getting desperate. Faced with lingering unemployment, she has few options left when a mystery interview request lands in her inbox. The much-needed job offer promises stability but also reveals an unbelievable reality that turns her world upside down.
Now learning the ropes of a new job comes second to learning about the otherworldly community hidden in plain sight. Throw a missing vampire into the mix and Linda finds herself plunged into a mystery that promises her new role will be far from the normal nine-to-five.
Start the series here.
Taste of Madness by R.L. CAULDER
The typical case of not remembering to sign up, and totally not planning/anticipating the release. I’m so sorry! But I can absolutely understand past me; this blurb is still captivating! This is book two in the “Woven in Time” trilogy.
Book one, Touch of Oblivion, overview:
I wasn’t created to love, only to destroy, but fate doesn’t ask permission.
I wake to a world in chaos, the taste of stardust on my tongue and fragments of galaxies burning behind my eyes.
No name, past, or idea of how I came to be here.
In the ruins of a battlefield, four kings of this new world find me abandoned and alone. Each of them desperate to decipher who I am, and why I’ve been thrust into their war. They claim they have the power to protect me and help me discover who I am.
A wraith whose shadows’ ignite sparks that dance beneath my skin.
A fae with a silver tongue and lips I ache to trust.
A vampire who drinks desire like wine and vows to ruin me sweetly.
And a shape-shifting predator whose hungry gaze makes my pulse race.
They circle me like wolves, drawn to a power and vulnerability they can’t resist. Their heated glances and whispered promises awaken something inside me…a longing that dances on the line between defiance and need.
While I may feel the pull of each of them, I know deep down that I wasn’t made for their cages, gilded or otherwise. However, in a fractured world at war between humans and magic, I’ll need allies as I uncover who—and what—I truly am.
As their sweet whispers tangle with my thoughts and their searing touches threaten to unravel me, fragments of my memories begin to surface. Each of them swears they’ll never let me go, but they’ll soon learn that love was never meant for me.
Some call me death. Others, salvation.
When I rise, the world will remember what it means to fall.
***
AUTHOR NOTE: Touch of Oblivion is book one of the Woven In Time trilogy and will end on a cliffhanger. Please note that the content is intended for mature audiences.
Read Touch Of Oblivion here.
When the Stars Were Devoured by STEPHANIE BLAIR
Again, total blackout on the sign-up process, but I remember the ARC was sent the day before the publication date. Really short notice, however, still planning on reading it.
Book overview:
The skies are darkening with rebellion in Noxia. A tyrannical king rules with madness and the only thing stopping him?
A Rebellion Leader
Civil war left everyone in the kingdom of Noxia both destitute and dejected, but Alora refuses to watch her people continue to suffer. Magic comes with a price, and with her power of illusion considered a rarity, she joins with the cause to assassinate the ruthless king. Alora quickly finds her plans derailed when she unexpectedly captures the king’s favored warrior and it becomes apparent that more than her freedom is on the line.
The Royal Executioner
With the power to destroy souls, The Devourer is as ruthless as his magic. As the king’s right hand killer, The Devourer must hunt down and eliminate every threat to the king’s reign. But when he finds himself captured by the very group he hunts, Kassiel will begin to question if his fate to be alone, is truly set, or if his hardened heart could actually begin to feel again.
When the Stars were Devoured is the first book in an adult fantasy romance series following a broody, morally grey warrior who loses more than just his freedom to the fierce woman who ensnares him.
Read it here.
Aaand that’s a wrap on my overdue list. I feel I should do a series out of this, so come back in a few days to see what is on my immediate reading list!
