JASMINE's THOUGHTS on Time's Plague by Dreana Ellis

Genre:

Adult

Paranormal/Fantasy Romance

Publish Date:

October 25, 2024

Synopsis:

In 1348 England a young artist, Elric and his wife Ava eagerly expect their first child— that is until the Black Plague threatens to claim her and their unborn baby. Desperate to save his wife and muse, Elric strikes a dangerous bargain with a sorceress, risking his own soul. When the dark ritual goes awry, Elric and Ava find themselves trapped in limbo, ensnared in the cruel pendulum of fate. One has become destined to die a thousand deaths, while the other is fated to endure endless loss.

Elric has the opportunity to love Ava with every reincarnate of her and for her it’s the first time they’re falling in love. Her inevitable death in her 28th year of life hangs over Elric’s head, as he waits for the guillotine to drop.

The only constant in his life; his art, a reflection of his soulmate. Unknowingly holding the key to their salvation.

One day Ava stumbles into a room full of portraits of herself, she has no recollection of. Testing fate’s limits as she reaches out for one.

Elric journeys across the world and centuries, in a dire attempt to stop the true plague: Time.

TROPES:

Fated mates

Supernatural

Evil Sorceress

Urban fantasy

Time jumps

CONTENT WARNING: Pregnancy loss, child loss, blood, murder, suicide like attempts, nightmares

      

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**About the Author**

source

Dreana Ellis is a passionate novelist whose love for storytelling started in her hometown of San Diego, CA. Soon trading the sunny coast for the enchanting woods of the south, she now lives in Tennessee. Married to her first love, Isaiah, they share in each other's creative pursuits, while also sharing in the joy and chaos of raising four spirited children. 

Dreana is a devoted fan of fantasy literature and is influences by timeless and epic love stories. 

When she's not writing, she's watching a quarterly marathon of "Lord of The Rings" or spending time in nature with her family. 

Whether her head is buried in a book or she's lost in the woods, her life is on the constant pursuit for creative expression.

Stay connected with Dreana Ellis

    

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***My Thoughts***

Note: This Review contains NO spoilers

 

I had the pleasure to read the first book by the author Dreana Ellis. I loved the premise of this paranormal/urban fantasy which caught my attention. I always found the whole crossing of time concept fascinating. Plus, with every author, the concept of time/time travel differed with each book. With that being said, I was completely engrossed with the story and the characters.

I found it intriguing as Elric lived/lives many lives, and meets and develops relationships with the various characters through time. The flow of the storytelling moved fluidly through time which I found compelling and captivating. I was fully engrossed in the story/stories that kept me turning the pages. Not just that, Time's Plague is definitely a rollercoaster of intrigue. Then, of course, when it came to the end of the book, Time's Plague just had to end with a cliffhanger, which is a major indication that there is more to come. 😄

Well, I am, for sure, looking forward to what comes next in the second installment in this new series by this new author. There's a second installment coming... RIGHT!?!? 🤣 I am excited to read more by this author!

via GIPHY

My rating:

RELEASE DAY BLITZ: Somewhere Along the Way by Anna Gomez

 Today, we are excited to share this Release Day Blitz for Award-winning Author Anna Gomez's Somewhere Along the Way. To celebrate this new release, we have my thoughts on this new contemporary romance. So... Be sure to check it out and grab your copy now!

Genre:

Adult

Contemporary Romance

Women's Fiction

Publish Date:

September 24, 2024

Publisher:

KOBO Originals

Synopsis:

Charlotte “Charlie” Hastings never missed her mother. But when Charlie's late father visits her in a dream and reveals the letters her mother had written to him over the years, she begins yearning for a connection she never desired to make. Reeling from a mix of emotions, Charlie embarks on a soul-searching cross-country journey to California to find the mother she thought she never needed.

Along the way, she stumbles upon Graham Mead, a mysterious stranger with a secret identity, who becomes her unexpected travel companion. Each pit stop reveals new truths from her mother’s letters, unveiling a poignant love story and the reasons behind her departure. From state to state, Charlie and Graham unravel their pasts, confront their fears, and discover a love that goes beyond their personal journeys.

But as they reach their destination, they must face the harsh reality of their separate lives: Charlie needs to find her mother, and Graham needs to rebuild his life. Pulled in different directions, can they find each other in the right place and at the right time, twice?

Tropes:

Road Trip, Found Family, Multicultural Romance, Starting Over, Soul Mate, Only One Bed

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**About the Author**

Photo Content from Anna Gomez

Highly acclaimed author Anna Gomez (pen name Christine Brae) was born in the city of Makati, Philippines and educated abroad before moving to Chicago.

 Her award-winning titles include In This Life, My Goodbye Girl, The Year I Left, and the multicultural/women's fiction series From Kona with Love, which is in development for Film/TV. She and her co-author have been covered by outlets such as People Magazine, Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Deadline Hollywood, Home & Family, and Publishers Weekly.

Most recently, Gomez was featured on CNN Philippines, Modern Parenting (Asia), Campaign Brief Asia and Ad Age (US).

She is Global Chief Financial Officer for Mischief at No Fixed Address. Prior to this, she was the CFO of Leo Burnett, a global advertising agency owned by Publicis Groupe.

Stay connected with Anna Gomez

     

  

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*My Thoughts*

Note: This review contains NO spoilers

Hmmmm... 🤔 After reading the last page, I am still in deep thought and still whirling with emotions. I have read a few of Anna Gomez's books, even the ones under her pen name Christine Brae, and every book delivered thought provoking stories of love, loss, and self-discovery. Somewhere Along the Way is no different. Anna Gomez has again delivered an emotional and moving story of loss, grief, family, and love.

Somewhere Along the Way took me on Charlie's journey of grieving and learning more about who she is after the loss of her father and learning the secret her father kept of her mother. As I continued reading, the emotional turmoil that Charlie endured was felt deep inside, so much so that I teared up and needed a box of tissue. 😢 Of course, Anna Gomez can't just have one character with complicated and emotional situations. Hence, she introduced Graham, who happens to cross paths with Charlie. He, too, has his own secrets and inner-demons he kept. As these two characters continue on their travels, they learn of each other, and begin to understand each other, even fall in love, during their time together.

Sometimes, you have to get away from everything and everyone when you're grieving. But, for Charlie, she wasn't just grieving, she had to rediscover herself after the life changing event(s) in her life. Along the way, love is found unexpectedly and not necessarily wanted during that moment in her life. Anna Gomez has written a beautifully and emotionally charged story that compelled these characters to face these obstacles in their lives.

Moreover, Somewhere Along the Way is a beautifully written story that deals with emotionally and mentally deep issues that many can relate to, in one way or another. But, I can guarantee that by the end of the book, tears will be falling. I, myself, took a while to finally stop the tears.

via GIPHY

My rating:

Release Day Blitz Organized by

JASMINE's THOUGHTS on Once Upon a Realm by Mary Ting

Genre:

Upper Young Adult

Fantasy/Romance

Action/Adventure

Series:

Once Upon a Legend, #3

Publish Date:

September 20, 2024

Cover Designed by:

Covers by Christian

Synopsis:

New allies and unexpected heroes will rise.

The cost of Idrisa from saving her world from dark magic is high. She must return to Dumonia, the very empire she vowed never to go back, and destroy The Tree of Life and Death. But her plan fails when Ravana intercedes and unleashes her creatures.

No amount of preparation, weapons, or dragons will ensure their win unless Idrisa and Caliburn seals the rip in their sky, the very essences where dark magic began. As more secrets are revealed, loyalties are tested, and one way or another, an ending is on its way. Idrisa must give everything to save her world.

TROPES:

Arthurian

enemies to lover

found family

chosen one

      

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Once Upon a Legend series:

  

(covers link to Goodreads)

       

***FREE on Kindle Unlimited***

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**About the Author**

International Bestselling, Award-Winning Author Mary Ting writes soulful, spellbinding stories that excite the imagination and captivate readers all over the world. Her books run a wide range of genres: science fiction, fantasy, and swoon worthy stories. Her storytelling talents have won her a devoted legion of fans and garnered critical praise. 

Mary was born in Seoul Korea and resides in Southern California with her husband, two children, and two dogs—Mochi and Mocha. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Becoming an author was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother. After realizing she wanted to become a full-time author, she retired from teaching. She also had the privilege of touring with the Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children's chapter book: No Bullies Allowed.

Stay connected with Mary Ting

     
  

 

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*My Thoughts*

Note: This review contains NO spoilers

Wow! Oh my WOW! What a ride and rush! So much has happened since Once Upon a Legend, book 1, and, to come to the end like it did! What a journey/quest these characters went through and endured! Whoa! I am still reeling with all the feels after closing the book! What a fascinating world Bestselling Author Mary Ting created! Well, I may be biased since I do love that King Arthur/Excalibur story/legend... Haha! But, wow! Just OMG Wow! 

So much development and discovery for all the characters! I loved that by the last book in this trilogy, secrets, truths, and mysteries were revealed... and questions were answered! Yep! Things that want to make you go... "Hmmm 🤔." Once Upon a Realm tied up everything that had occurred and revealed since the first book. The is definitely an imaginative and enchanting take on the origins of the Excalibur/King Arthur legend.

Yup! I am still reeling with the feels. So much so that I am pretty much speechless. Not much more I can say, other than just read this trilogy! Reading the Once Upon a Legend trilogy will definitely whisk any reader away to this magical world! It has magic, intrigue, mystery, action, adventure, and a little bit of romance...Haha! Oh yeah! For sure, it is so good! So worth the read! 😁

via GIPHY

My rating: