booktrilogy – booksofthemuggleborn

Ace Of Diamonds by Alta Hensley

Adult Romance, ARC Review, Book Review, Book Reviews, Contemporary, Dark Romance, Romance, Suspense

⚠ This review contain minor teasers!

booksofthemuggleborn_aceofdiamonds — Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

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• BLURB •

The winner takes all…

I had her. She was mine. They took her away.

Lyriope Morelli is the dream I’ve been chasing. My obsession isn’t gone, my hunger’s not satiated. I won’t rest until I find her and claim her again. I won’t rest until I’ve dragged her safely back to Wonderland.

Villains don’t get the happily ever after written for them in the story. And I’m the villain of this story–vicious and calculating, terrifying in my whims. Which is why, when it comes to my queen of hearts…

The game has just begun.

Welcome to the Midnight Dynasty… The warring Morelli and Constantine families have enough bad blood to fill an ocean, and their brand new stories will be told by your favorite dangerous romance authors.

WARNING: This book is intended for readers eighteen years old and over. It contains material that some readers could find disturbing. Enter at your own risk…

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• MY REVIEW •

“I fucking love chaos.”

What a whirlwind trip around Wonderland for this third and final book in the trilogy. It was a madhouse of emotions as Nick and Lyriope navigate through unchartered territory. With Nick risking his reputation and all he has worked for in building his infamous Wonderland, and Lyriope officially entering the lion’s den with the Morellis, it seems they’ve dug themselves into an even bigger hole that’s going to need some finessing to get out of unscathed.

With dual points of view and fast-paced storytelling, this part of their story was constantly developing. Lyriope had plenty of questionable actions throughout that left me confused and frustrated, that it was a relief to see Nick was as cool and calm as ever— and the main source in ensuring they both come out of the drama with a HEA.

If you love angst, tons of self-induced drama, and a heaping serve of sex and sin, then you will undoubtedly get a kick out of this third instalment in Hensley’s Wonderland trilogy. It’s very much character-driven and with how emotionally charged these leading characters are, there’s a vivid sense of anxiety and impulse in the air all throughout.

“Come and play with me in Wonderland, motherfuckers. Come play.”

This dark billionaire romance has content that some readers may find triggering such as violence and domestic abuse. It also contains strong sexual themes and is intended for readers 18+ only.

There’s some good moments but I would’ve enjoyed this book more if there was a more substantial plot. I enjoy romantic content as much the next romance reader… but in moderation. This book focused around Nick and Lyriope’s racy romps, that it lacked in-depth storytelling and overall balance. Besides some action sequences, spectacularly vivid descriptions of Nick’s adult-themed Wonderland parties, and a couple of heart-to-hearts with certain secondary characters this book had fairly few character developments, and ultimately left me wanting a more concrete conclusion with certain situations and characters cleared up.

Although I’m glad to see this story wraps-up with a bonus epilogue, it just wasn’t the epilogue I was expecting or hoping for. It read more as an extension of Nick and Lyriope’s romantic escapades. You won’t see more than their immediate future, and leaves you with a HEA that’s full of possibilities.

Whilst this book wasn’t my favourite of the three, as a whole I thought it was an eye-catching take on the classic tale of Alice in Wonderland. Hensley has without a doubt added an erotic twist to it and ultimately extended the world of the Midnight Dynasty by adding another intoxicating backdrop to the mix.

Nick Hudson is an exceptional and twisted Mad Hatter hero and has definitely kept things entertaining from beginning to end. Putting aside my love/hate relationship with Lyriope ~~Bailey~~ Morelli, Hensley has amazingly mirrored certain traits from Alice onto her own heroine— from the rollercoaster of emotions, to navigating through unpredictable paths, to shedding her innocence, growing up, and finally being able to stand up for herself, as Nick puts it; a Queen.

I think it’s a must-read for fans of the Midnight Dynasty, and romance readers who like to try an Alice in Wonderland inspired story. Please note, this is a continuous storyline and King of Spades and Queen of Hearts must be read first before reading this one.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐¾

Thank you Alta Hensley and Candi Kane PR for the opportunity to read an advance copy! 💙

🔔 Interested in reading the Wonderland trilogy? Grab your copy here:

Book One | King Of Spades: Amazon US | Amazon INTL | Apple Books | Nook | Kobo | Google Play
Book Two | Queen Of Hearts: Amazon US | Amazon INTL | Apple Books | Nook | Kobo | Google Play
Book Three | Ace Of Diamonds: Amazon US | Amazon INTL | Apple Books | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Google Play

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♠♥ The Wonderland Trilogy! ♦♣

booksofthemuggleborn_wonderlandtrilogy — Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

Book One: King Of Spades by Alta Hensley

Book Two: Queen of Hearts by Alta Hensley

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More Midnight Dynasty reviews!

🥿 Skyscraper Cinderella | Book One:

Stroke Of Midnight by K. Webster

🤍 Dark Hearts Trilogy | Book One:

Stolen Hearts by M. O’Keefe

🌹 Beast of Bishop’s Landing | Book One:

Secret Beast by Amelia Wilde

🔥 Hellfire Club | Book One:

Wicked Idol by Becker Gray

✝ Standalone Taboo Romance:

Lessons In Sin by Pam Godwin

🕊 Dark Dream Duet | Book One:

Dangerous Temptation by Giana Darling

🎨 The Collector Trilogy | Book One:

Dark Reign by Amelia Wilde

🧭 Deserted Island Trilogy | Book One:

Force Of Nature by Skye Warren & Amelia Wilde

🥃 Hughes Series | Book One:

One For The Money by Skye Warren

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Happy reading, guys! Catch you in my next one! Xo

Force Of Nature by Skye Warren & Amelia Wilde

Adult Romance, ARC Review, Book Review, Book Reviews, Contemporary, Dark Romance, Romance, Suspense

⚠ This review contains a minor teaser!

booksofthemuggleborn_forceofnature — Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

•••

• BLURB •

Carter Morelli survived a violent childhood and dangerous missions. After he emergency lands the small aircraft, he faces something even worse: having someone depend on him. Geologist June Porter wants to study rocks. She didn’t plan to be stranded on a deserted island.

They aren’t alone on the island. A man hides among the broad leaves. He’s almost feral, this man. But he provides them shelter and food.

There are secrets in his hidden cabin. Desire, too.

Carter doesn’t want to care about the bookish, beautiful June.
But he doesn’t like this strange man’s interest in her, either.
Simmering chemistry wars with the need for survival.

Will they be found before they give into temptation?

WARNING: This book is intended for readers eighteen years old and over. It contains material that some readers could find disturbing. Enter at your own risk…

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• MY REVIEW •

“Everything has its equal. Its opposite. That’s you. You’re my equal and opposite.”

Hmm. I think I was just as lost and hallucinatory as June was whilst reading this book. I was intrigued after reading the prologue; The Crash and by this book’s initial premise, unfortunately it ended up not being my cup of tea.

I am grateful for getting a chance to read an advance copy, I just wished I knew before signing for an ARC that this story contained MMF romance. I’ve read a handful of romances with this trope and whilst they’re not my typical go-to, I don’t mind them on occasion… IF they fit organically into its storyline. However, in this instance I just didn’t get a genuine connection amongst all three characters involved and the transition leading up to this development felt rushed and a little confusing. Call me crazy, but with how Carter was introduced in the prologue and for the first half of this story, I didn’t get the slightest hint that he’s bi-sexual/ attracted to both sexes. Despite the multiple POVs when the third party was introduced, the emotions and sexual attraction evoked out of these characters just didn’t come off as believable, in my honest opinion.

I liked the relatively short chapters and fast-pacing heightening the suspense— really transporting you to the dangers and the unknown looming over Carter and June on that island. But the downside to the fast-paced storytelling was it lead to abrupt developments (both storyline and relationships) that lacked depth or complexity. I was hoping for more character growth and genuine connection. I had gotten invested throughout the first half of the book seeing a potential romantic relationship between Carter and June, but it subsided almost immediately once their ménage à trois began.

In saying that, I strongly feel other romance readers will feel differently and end up loving this story. I think Warren and Wilde’s collaboration was executed well. I had no inkling of when one’s writing ended and the other began. I thought their writing styles blended seamlessly. I enjoyed the gradual suspense, the unpredictability, and the ache Carter and June felt for one another. The sexual tension practically leaped off the pages and had me gripping the edge of my seat hoping to see more interactions.

The first book in the Deserted Island Trilogy has set up the grim ambience and provides readers an intriguing insight into both Carter and June’s backstories. With the brutal elements of a deserted island as the backdrop, forced proximity between its protagonists, and danger lurking all around, Force of Nature has a Tarzan meets The Blue Lagoon atmosphere about it! It has a little bit of everything from romance, adventure, to action and suspense. You can easily read it in one sitting, but just know it concludes on a cliff-hanger.

I may not continue with the rest of the series but I am glad I got to see more than a glimpse of Carter Morelli and the mystery surrounding his life. This book finally lets you see him as a full-fledged character within the Midnight Dynasty. I think you’ll find the setting of his story a refreshing change from the hustle and bustle of the city and of the Morellis usual corporate lifestyle.

If you follow the world of the Midnight Dynasty, I still recommend you give this one a try.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐

Thank you Skye Warren, Amelia Wilde, and Give Me Books PR for the opportunity to read an advanced copy! 💙

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🧭 Deserted Island Trilogy!

booksofthemuggleborn_thecrash — Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

Prologue: The Crash by Skye Warren & Amelia Wilde