Review: Desecrated Saints by J. Rose

Desecrated Saints by J. Rose

Series: Blackwood Institute #3

Publication date: July 29th, 2022

Pages: 470

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Synopsis:

ESCAPE FROM BLACKWOOD INSTITUTE.

THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE.

Sinner. Saint. Lost. Found.

I never intended to leave Blackwood Institute alive. Instead, I found a whole new family. A reason to live. Hope. Belonging. Acceptance. Love.

We barely made it out with our lives.

Now, the real fight to survive begins.

In a world of false allegiances, corruption and violence, Incendia Corporation wants to silence our voices. We survived the sickness at the heart of their twisted medical marvel. Our truth is all we have left, but the world doesn't want to hear it. 

We're just six unhinged criminals, on the run.

When tragedy strikes at the heart of our family, we must forge new alliances and brave the cruelty of an indifferent world. Enemies are gathering to watch our destruction, but the greatest threat still lies within.

There's a vicious monster buried inside of me, battling for control. Patient Eight kept me alive in the dark, but Brooklyn West wants a future. The two cannot co-exist without imploding. Forging a new path will cost me everything -- including the people I love.

In death and blood, we will find our happy ending.

The game is almost over.

Check mate, motherfuckers.

Author's Note: Desecrated Saints is book three in the Blackwood Institute trilogy. They must be read in order. Full trigger warning is available inside the book.

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Review:

Brooklyn and her men are in a race to bring down the Incendia Corporation for their hand in all all the pain they reaped upon them. They took Brooklyn and her bonded Patient Seven and turned them into lean, mean killing machines. Between the two of them their body count is astronomical. The Corporation used them to kill off any individuals that opposed them until they became a formidable force. But once Brooklyn and her harem hooked up with Sabre Security they start to wonder if they might have a fighting chance against them. But when they are dealt with blow after blow of bad news, they start to realize that the corruption goes farther than they had ever imagined. Through loss and the unimaginable realization that Brooklyn's family may not all be long gone, the team have to find a way to fight for their freedom or be doomed to be forced back into the loving embrace of Incendia all over again.

I found myself really dragging through this book. There were days when I didn't feel like picking up my Kindle to continue the story. I was interested a bit in all the corruption and action but the romance aspects were starting to drain me. The addition of a new man to her harem, Seven, made me feel uneasy. I feel weird when the main focus of the harem ends up bringing in another person late to the game. It threw me off so much that I started eyeballing every man she was friendly with in the slightest as another potential person for her to drag into her bedroom. However, what did the book in for me and what almost made me DNF it completely, was the forced bisexuality that Brooklyn pressured Hudson into. I am not too keen on dynamics happening between members of the harem that aren't all focused on the woman. Eli and Phoenix were different because I felt they were already pretty established before Brooklyn was even in the mix. So I hesitantly leaned into that. But when Brooklyn starts trying to coax Hudson into being anything more than his usual alphahole self, I was completely over the book. The author kinda hinted that Hudson was a bit curious but to jump into it the way he did with little prompting after swearing up and down he was straight? It didn't sit well with me. It felt like Brooklyn was using her relationship with Hudson to try to force him to do things he was not 100% on board with. Not to mention, I barely was accepting of Eli and Phoenix. Seeing Hudson then paired off with another man? No. I was done. I finished the book only because I wanted to know what happened to Incendia but even that felt rushed. It was tied up within the last 10% of the book and almost seemed impossibly easy despite it being coined a "suicide mission". 

I did not like the ending of this trilogy and it will likely make me hesitant to read the rest of the books by this author. I have a feeling they would be a lot of the same as these were and end on a sour note for me. If other dynamics within your reverse harems is okay with you, then you probably won't mind this book in the slightest. It is just not my cup of tea.

Book Blitz with Excerpt + Teaser + Giveaway: Eternal Ashes by Janelle Marie @XpressoTours

Eternal Ashes by Janelle Marie

Series: Ash & Rage #1

Publication date: January 21st, 2025

Synopsis:

One night. One moment. One mistake.

Now life will never be the same.

In her hometown of Auburn Village, Sofie Collins has built a good life for herself and her teenage daughter, April.

Sofie's business is growing, and they are both happily in love, with April about to graduate from high school in only a few weeks.

Life -- although far from perfect -- is good. But one moment is all it takes.

Just one moment and now Sofie's world will never be the same again.

Instead of building a brighter future with each passing day, Sofie suddenly finds the happiness she found slipping further and further through her fingers.

And it seems as thought all the blame and guilt lies with her...

Or does it?

This mesmerizing drama is the compelling first chapter of a story of heartbreak, betrayal and cold revenge. When her world breaks, will Sofie find the strength to rebuild the pieces? Or is she about to send it crashing down?

Available at:

Excerpt

Sofie stared out the window of Chief Edison's unmarked police car, a cold sense of dread spreading through her chest as she awaited her daughter's fate. The local hospital wasn't far, but the ride felt like it was hours. They had left immediately after throwing on some clothes. Sofie wasn't sure what she had grabbed, or if she should bring anything for April. What had happened? What could've possibly happened? Why hadn't she come home?

The night was still and silent. Everything was so quiet and peaceful, in such stark contrast to the turmoil raging through Sofie's whole body.

Please, let my baby girl be okay. The thought repeated itself in her head, right along with the last image she had of April walking hand-in-hand out of the pub with Drew. April's last words to Sofie had been "I love you." But Sofie couldn't remember if she'd said those all-important words back to her.

Sofie's breath clutched in her chest, her gasp disturbing the silence inside the car. Chief Edison glanced back at her through the rearview mirror, concern in his eyes despite his blank expression. Beside her, Parker took Sofie's hand, interlocking their fingers.

Chief Edison hadn't given them many details beyond the fact April and Drew had been in an accident. He'd shared no insight into their condition. He didn't need to though. Sofie could read between the lines. If the kids were okay, they would have been driven home.

April would have called.

If the kids were okay, Chief Edison would have said so instead of staying tight-lipped. His silence was a red flag. A bad omen.

Please, let my baby girl be okay...

Sofie's vision blurred and she blinked back tears, refusing to let any fall yet. She was convinced crying prematurely would only bring bad luck. Sofie was fearing the worst, but she needed to hold on to some kind of hope. At least now, before she knew for certain how bad it was.

Maybe the kids were banged up and in shock. Maybe there were some broken bones. Maybe some concussions. Scrapes and scratches. Bruises. A bunch of stuff would heal quickly...

And maybe one day, a few weeks or months from now, they would remember this incident as a scary close-call they'd overcome. A minor setback.

Someday in the future, April and Drew would be married and in their forties, telling their kids about the bad crash they had weeks before graduating high school. Their yearbook would have pictures of all the signatures they'd gotten on their matching casts.

There was no need to panic.

No need to panic. Sofie let these words replace the chant in her head, wanting so badly to believe them. Yet, no matter how hard she tried to cling to some optimism, the prolonged drive provided ample time for dread to take hold again.

JANELLE MARIE is a distinguished voice in the realm of thriller-suspense fiction. Residing amidst the towering evergreens and cascading mountains of the Pacific Northwest, she infuses her stories with the essence of her surroundings, creating a unique and immersive experience for her readers.

With a talent for weaving tales; Janelle embarked on her writing journey, driven by a love for a great book. She discovered her passion for crafting stories that send shivers down the spine, skillfully spinning narratives that are tapestries of suspense, where unexpected twists and turns keep readers guessing until the final, gripping conclusion.

Janelle Marie invites readers to join her on a journey into the heart of suspense, where the landscapes are as unpredictable as the twists in her tales. Through her evocative prose, she aims to transport readers into a world where danger lurks in the shadows and the only way out is to keep turning the pages.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS | INSTAGRAM | BOOKBUB

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Book Blitz with Excerpt + Giveaway: The Loathe Boat by Cindy Dorminy @XpressoTours

The Loathe Boat by Cindy Dorminy

Publication date: January 20th, 2025

Synopsis:

The Loathe Boat is about to set sail! All aboard!

Chrissy Parks already has one failed marriage under her belt, and despite being on good terms with her ex, she has no desire to put another ring on her left hand anytime soon. Life is good with Deacon, her amazing boyfriend, so there's no need to rock the boat.

Deacon Youngblood has other plans. He pops the question just days before they plan to set sail on a role-playing-themed cruise. When Chrissy flips out and turns down his proposal, he begins to think that she may not be over her ex.

The situation escalates into a breakup, but neither will relinquish their cruise ticket. Chrissy climbs aboard the Sovereign of the Sea with the goal of clearing her head and enjoying all the cruise has to offer. Deacon follows with the hope of winning her back.

Chrissy has a nagging feeling that Deacon is hiding something from her. And he's not the only one vying for her attention. Chrissy must search her heart and decide who she wants. Or maybe she should abandon ship as we age.

Available at:

Excerpt

I open the box to reveal the custom-made engagement ring I've been hiding in my drawer for a month. Her mouth gapes open, but no words came out -- no "OMG, yes" or even "Of course I will" or a squeal of excitement...

Her breaths came out in rapid pants. "I..I... uh, I..." Her chair falls backward as she runs toward the bathroom.

CINDY DORMINY writes about love when it's least expected. Quirky dialogue and sassy, southern heroines are a must in her romances. When she's not in her she-shed working on her next novel, she enjoys walking her dog, gardening, and weightlifting. She shares her house with her musician husband, an awesome daughter, and a miniature dachshund who would eat all the food if he could figure out how to open the refrigerator. She resides in Nashville, TN, where live music can be heard everywhere, even at the grocery store.

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Review: Sacrificial Sinners by J. Rose

Sacrificial Sinners by J. Rose

Series: Blackwood Institute #2

Publication date: January 28th, 2022

Pages: 498

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Synopsis:

RETURN TO BLACKWOOD INSTITUTE.

RUN BY THE INSANE, FOR THE INSANE.

Monster. Victim. Predator. Prey.

I've always been certain of one hard fact -- I don't deserve to live. For all the pain and suffering I've inflicted, I tried to take the ultimate punishment. Anything to escape the horror of living with my crimes.

Survival wasn't part of the bargain. The family I never intended to find are determined to keep me alive, but my mind has been turned against me.

I don't know what's real anymore.

When the devil comes knocking, I'm forced to confront the truth. Blackwood Institute is far from what it seems. Now, I must learn how deep the darkness truly goes.

As our lives are thrown into chaos, harrowing secrets are uncovered and the carefully constructed illusion begins to unravel, I'll stop at nothing to protect my family, even if that means sacrificing myself to the horrors of the Z Wing.

I've been running from my demons for a long time, but the truth is about to catch up to me.

Time to become the monster the world thinks I am.

Author's Note: Sacrificial Sinners is a reverse harem contemporary romance set in an experimental mental health institution. This is book two in the trilogy and it must be read in order. Full trigger warning is available inside the book.

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Review:

Up on that rooftop Brooklyn was ready to die. She was ready to finally put to rest the evil that she felt lurked within her. What other explanation could she give for the crimes that landed her in the Blackwood Institute in the first place. She had four men who would do anything to make her see that she has something worth living for in them. But there are darker secrets within the walls of Blackwood than just the crazy delusions that circle the minds of its patients. Brooklyn decides that if she is going to live then she is going to have to do more than just survive. But the Institute is changing. This should be a good thing since the man who drove Brooklyn to that rooftop was gone, but the man who replaced him, the illustrious Dr. Augustus has other plans in mind for Brooklyn. He wants to turn her into a killing machine and will use the people she loves as leverage to do so. Can Brooklyn find a way to keep her mind intact as well to keep her men from harm?

This installment within the trilogy was intense. Brooklyn broke so many times and had her mental facilities falter over and over again. It is amazing that she still found a way to fight her way out of it. Granted she had a lot of help from her lovers, an oddly friendly guard, and a fellow enlistee for Dr. Augustus's big plans. It got to the point where I could understand her breaking but I was rubbing my temples wondering when this poor girl was going to get a break. It was beautiful the way she started to find ways to heal with each of her men in different ways. Although I was ready to strangle Phoenix for being an asshat after the rooftop incident. He was too busy focusing on how he felt about what happened and tormenting her for being weak. I lost a lot of respect for him as a character which stinks since he was one of my favorites before.

I liked that we got a deeper look into each of their pasts. From Hudson's reason for being locked up to the sacrifice that his brother took to support and protect him. The addiction issues that Phoenix turns to every single time things get hard and Eli's trauma with his father. The growth for each of the characters was profound and I felt like I truly got to know them a little better. Some of them I grew even fonder of and others I grew indifferent to. But however my feelings shifted for the characters I was glad to get to know them a bit more as individuals and not just as Brooklyn's men.

This was a good middle book, it added even more mystery to what the Institute was up to and what they were hoping to accomplish with their most forgotten patients. It also gave the main characters chances to shine within their own individual stories. I would have liked a little less repetitiveness with Brooklyn's breaks because it started to take away some of the sympathy I felt for her as frustration started to seep in. I am curious to see where it goes from here with her, her guys, and her newly acquired friends.