Episodes
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Happy Holidays!
It's our 2nd annual gift guide for those who love books and those who love people who love books! Say that three times fast. We have you covered for every budget, the minimalist, the maximalist, the practical and the luxurious. Take notes or pass on to your friends, lover, not so secret Santa or that family member who has no clue who you are or what you love.
As always we encourage our listeners to buy as much as possible from small and local business, from artisans with heart and creators who put so much energy into their products.
In this episode we shout out a few of the artists and biz owners we have purchased from this year;
SaltiReads - merch, stickers, books
Caffeine & Curses - merch, notebooks, mugs
BabyMac - teatowel display hangers
Etsy - a buffet or artisans and creatives.
What we are reading right now.
Carlie - âOne Dark Windowâ Rachel Gilleg
Majella - âA Fate Inked in Bloodâ Daniella Jensen
BOOKCLUB
â Join us in the bookclub in June for our read of "A Court of Thorns & Roses" by Sarah J Maasâ
â https://fable.co/club/faeted-the-book-club-with-carlie-298611075637â
DOWNLOAD OUR BOOK RECOMMENDATION LIST
Never wonder what to read next.â â Get your 5 Levels of Romantasy book list from us. â â These are the stories that have captured our adventure and romance loving hearts over the years.
Music Credit:
Intro and Outro music byâ â â Hot_Dopeâ â â fromâ â â Pixabayâ â â : Winning Elevation
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SPOILER ALERT *This episode speaks to some of the themes and premise's of the book but does not divulge plot or character arcs or share specific moments.
Carlie recently read 'Phantasma' by Kaylie Smith and it made her ponder about how important reading is for mental wellbeing, how powerful it is to feel represented in our books and the way reading can bring together communities.
This episode speaks to the mental health benefits of reading and how authors can share and understand their own mental health challenges through their stories. 'Phantasma' draws attention to the impact OCD, anxiety and depression has on an individual and tenderly and respectfully shares how one could navigate this.
As always we would love to hear your thoughts and learn which books you have read that represent you well or helped you feel less alone?
Carlie & Majella
BOOKCLUB
Our bookclub is reading 'When The Moon Hatched' by Sarah A Parker in November and you can JOIN US HERE
â https://fable.co/club/faeted-the-book-club-with-carlie-298611075637â
DOWNLOAD OUR BOOK RECOMMENDATION LIST
Never wonder what to read next.â â Get your 5 Levels of Romantasy book list from us. â â These are the stories that have captured our adventure and romance loving hearts over the years.
Music Credit:
Intro and Outro music byâ â â Hot_Dopeâ â â fromâ â â Pixabayâ â â : Winning Elevation
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Missing episodes?
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**Spoiler Alert ** Please dont listen to this episode unless you have read this book, its full of spoilers.
In this episode, Carlie and Majella dive deep into the much-hyped book 'Quicksilver' by Callie Hart.
They discuss their emotional responses to the book, the quality of writing, and the immersive world-building that made them feel as if they were part of the story. The conversation also touches on their reading experiences, the distractions they faced, and the connections they formed with the characters.
They reflect on the hype surrounding the book from BookTok and how it lived up to their expectations, as well as their rankings of book boyfriends.
Our bookclub is reading When The Moon Hatched by Sarah Parker in November and you can JOIN US HERE
https://fable.co/club/faeted-the-book-club-with-carlie-298611075637
What we are reading right now.
Carlie - âPhantasmaâ Kaylie Smith
Majella - âWhen the Moon Hatchedâ Sarah Parker
BOOKCLUB
â Join us in the bookclub in June for our read of "A Court of Thorns & Roses" by Sarah J Maasâ
DOWNLOAD OUR BOOK RECOMMENDATION LIST
Never wonder what to read next. â Get your 5 Levels of Romantasy book list from us. â These are the stories that have captured our adventure and romance loving hearts over the years.
Music Credit:
Intro and Outro music byâ â Hot_Dopeâ â fromâ â Pixabayâ â : Winning Elevation -
In this episode we riff on our TBR lists and the books we would both like to read up to the end of the year. You might like to add some of them to your list or join us in our bookclub on Fable to read alongside us for the next few months.
Our TBR's are constantly changing so take it all with a grain of salt with us :)
We kinda can't believe that we have been creating this podcast and growing our community for almost a year. It has been such a ride and we have read some incredible books this year so let's keep that run going friends.
BOOKCLUB
â Join us in the bookclub in November and read along with us.
https://fable.co/club/faeted-the-book-club-with-carlie-298611075637
What we are reading right now.
Carlie & Majella - âPhantasmaâ Kaylie Smith
DOWNLOAD OUR BOOK RECOMMENDATION LIST
Never wonder what to read next. â Get your 5 Levels of Romantasy book list from us. â These are the stories that have captured our adventure and romance loving hearts over the years.
Music Credit:
Intro and Outro music byâ â Hot_Dopeâ â fromâ â Pixabayâ â : Winning Elevation
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Spoiler Alert**** This episode is full of spoilers for Blood & Steel.
In this episode we dive deep into Book 1 of the Legends of Thezmarr series 'Blood & Steel' and share how much we feel like this series should be more widely read and loved.
Blood and Steel has everything you want in a Romantacy series without feeling forced, trite or repetitive. The characters are more mature and developed than most series and we just fell in love with Thea and Wilder from the first pages. We loved the parallels with modern day struggles for women and how we can shake up systems that exclude us.
A top read series for us here at Faeted HQ.
Takeaways
Character dynamics greatly influence the story's progression.
Friendship and family themes are central to character development.
Creative processes can be chaotic and require focus.
'Blood and Steel' offers a unique take on fantasy tropes.
Character development is essential for engaging storytelling.
Prophecies add depth and intrigue to the narrative.
World-building should balance detail with pacing.
Reader expectations vary widely, impacting their experience.
BOOKCLUB
â Join us in the bookclub in October for our read of "A Court of Silver Flames" by Sarah J Maasâ
DOWNLOAD OUR BOOK RECOMMENDATION LIST
Never wonder what to read next. â Get your 5 Levels of Romantasy book list from us. â These are the stories that have captured our adventure and romance loving hearts over the years.
Music Credit:
Intro and Outro music byâ â Hot_Dopeâ â fromâ â Pixabayâ â : Winning Elevation
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In this episode Carlie and Majella discuss the Legends of Thezmarr series by talented Aussie author Helen Scheuerer.
We talk about the relatable and fierce main character, Thea Zoltaire, and the well-developed romance between Thea and the warrior Warsword Wilder Hawthorne who went to the top of our book husbands list.
This series had a strong female empowerment theme throughout and a balanced plot that combines action, romance, and magic. We adored the found family aspect and the well-rounded side characters as well as the tropes we all cheer for liked forced proximity and one-bed although these did not feel forced or overly predictable.
Overall, we highly recommend the series and hope more people discover and enjoy it.
DOWNLOAD OUR BOOK REC LIST
Music Credit:
Music by Hot_Dope from Pixabay: Winning Elevation
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In this solo episode, Majella reviews author Nikki St. Crowe.
Nikki's books can be divisive due to their darker and more explicit content. Majella enjoys the escapism and easy readability of the books, but acknowledges that they may not be for everyone. She highlights the strong and bratty female main characters and the broody and possessive male love interests.While the books may not be the most sophisticated or well-written, they are enjoyable and provide a form of escapism.
If you have read any of Nikki' books we would love to hear what you thought no matter where you fall on the review spectrum.
JOIN OUR BOOKCLUB ON FABLE
This month we are continuing our read of the ACOTAR series and are on A Court of Wings & Ruin if you would like to join us.
fable.co/club/faeted-the-book-club-with-carlie-298611075637?club_type=free
Thanks for listening,
Maj & Carlie
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Spoiler Alert ** This is the second part of our deep dive review and is FULL OF SPOILERS.
We continue our looong review of ACOTAR cause we can't shut up about it. We also read this in our bookclub on Fable in June and frothed alongside all of our Faeted Friends. We are having so much fun revisiting the series that got us back into reading for enjoyment.
ACOTAR is a solid first book in the series, filled with intrigue, intense trials, and complex relationships. Feyre's journey as a mortal in a world of powerful fae is captivating, and the book explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the fragility of life. The character of Rhysand adds depth and mystery, while Tamlin's actions leave readers questioning his true intentions. The book ends with a thrilling climax and sets the stage for further exploration in the series.
Chapters
00:00 Parallel to 'Beauty and the Beast'
05:43 Exploring Dark and Light
06:42 The Intense Trials and Feyre's Resilience
10:23 The Complexity of Rhysand's Character
15:25 Feyre's Mortality and Perspective on Life
23:18 The Passionate Fandom Surrounding the Series
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SPOILER ALERT *Spoilers galore in this review episode.
In this episode, we review the book 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' by Sarah J. Maas.
The main characters, the plot, and the world-building in this book are exceptional and that it is why it is so beloved and read by millions. This book has themes of love, loyalty, and sacrifice somewhat similar to Beauty and The Beast with dark and light elements in a magical fantasy world. We will always have a special place for this book as it got us both back into reading fiction.
Sound Bites
00:00 Emotional Depth and Attachment to Characters
16:26 Chapter 2: Complex Relationships
17:41 Chapter 3: Love and Sacrifice
24:34 Chapter 4: Trials and Challenges
29:18 Chapter 5: Parallel to 'Beauty and the Beast'
BOOKCLUB
Our bookclub is reading A Court of Mist & Fury by S.J Mass in July and you can JOIN US HERE
https://fable.co/club/faeted-the-book-club-with-carlie-298611075637
What we are reading right now.
Carlie - âBlood and Steelâ Helen Scheuerer
Majella - âBlood & Steelâ Helen Scheuerer
DOWNLOAD OUR BOOK RECOMMENDATION LIST
Never wonder what to read next. â Get your 5 Levels of Romantasy book list from us. â These are the stories that have captured our adventure and romance loving hearts over the years.
Music Credit:
Intro and Outro music byâ â Hot_Dopeâ â fromâ â Pixabayâ â : Winning Elevation
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In this conversation, we discuss the first book in the A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series by Sarah J. Maas.
This series is astronomically popular for it's impact on readers as a compelling and easily digestible book with stunning writing and world-building.
With an intriguing female main character, a magical journey, a complex love story, a mix of violence, emotion, and plot twists it really keeps readers hooked.
This series has a very special place in our hearts so we are passionate about inviting others to read it.
BOOKCLUB
Our bookclub is reading A Court of Mist & Fury by S.J Mass in July and you can JOIN US HERE
https://fable.co/club/faeted-the-book-club-with-carlie-298611075637
DOWNLOAD OUR BOOK RECOMMENDATION LISTNever wonder what to read next. â Get your 5 Levels of Romantasy book list from us. â These are the stories that have captured our adventure and romance loving hearts over the years.
Chapters
00:00 INTRO
01:45 The Well-Loved and Iconic Romantacy Series ACOTAR
04:49 Compelling and Magical Reading Experience
06:58 A Mix of Fantasy, Romance, and Action
08:29 Emotional Depth and Attachment to Characters
12:46 OUTRO
Music Credit:
Intro and Outro music byâ â Hot_Dopeâ â fromâ â Pixabayâ â : Winning Elevation
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Carlie and Majella discuss the importance of making time for reading and the benefits it brings. They share their personal experiences and reasons for prioritizing reading in their busy lives. They highlight the escapism, relaxation, learning, and inspiration that reading provides. They also emphasize the role of imagination and the magic of books in expanding one's perspective and bringing an extra dimension to life. They encourage listeners to find ways to incorporate reading into their daily routines and join their book club for more book recommendations and discussions.
Chapters
01:19 Why Making Time for Reading is a Conscious Choice
07:56 Bringing Magic and an Extra Dimension to Life Through Reading
13:50 Prioritizing Reading and Experimenting with Incorporating it into Daily Routines
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Spoilers *No spoilers in this episode
We have pulled together all the Romantasy new releases for June so you don't have to wonder what to read next!
We have also also had some amazing growth in our book club so THANKYOU to everyone who has joined and shared.
Ok this month we have new releases by authors such as Nisha J. Tulli, Helen Scheurer, LJ Andrews and Rebecca Zanetti. We share a brief description of each book and tropes they contain as well as books that are similar so you can think about whether they would be up your alley.
Let us know if you read any of the suggestions in this months releases.
Sound bites.
00:00 Updates from the Faeted The Bookclub
04:35 Introducing the June Releases in the Romantacy Genre
08:21 Leather & Lark
09:48 Fate of the Sun King
13:04 Shadow of Storms
15:28 Queen of Serpents and Shadows
17:38 One Cursed Rose
19:43 The Mist Thief
BOOKCLUB
â Join us in the bookclub in June for our read of "A Court of Thorns & Roses" by Sarah J Maasâ
DOWNLOAD OUR BOOK RECOMMENDATION LIST
Never wonder what to read next. â Get your 5 Levels of Romantasy book list from us. â These are the stories that have captured our adventure and romance loving hearts over the years.
Music Credit:
Intro and Outro music byâ â Hot_Dopeâ â fromâ â Pixabayâ â : Winning Elevation
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SPOILER WARNING* This is a review episode. Listen up until the 7 min mark if you want to know the premise of the story but NO FURTHER if you plan on reading it.
In this week's episode we share our reviews of the book 'Ledge' by Aussie author and hilarious TikTok sensation Stacey McEwen.
We discuss our personal experiences and opinions of the book, highlighting the unique premise of a community living on a ledge and the brutal conditions they face.
We both had different reading experiences here and yet both picked up book 2, Chasm straight away and kept on reading!
We share our thoughts on the characters, plot, and world-building, the intriguing concept of the book, the trauma and growth of the main character, the representation of diverse characters, and the slow-burn romance.
We chat about the pacing of the story and the potential for future books in this series, and others, from this debut author. Overall, we do recommend the book and read it in April in our bookclub!
BOOKCLUB
â Join us in the bookclub in June for our read of "A Court of Thorns & Roses" by Sarah J Maasâ
DOWNLOAD OUR BOOK RECOMMENDATION LIST
Never wonder what to read next. â Get your 5 Levels of Romantasy book list from us. â These are the stories that have captured our adventure and romance loving hearts over the years.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage
00:47 Introduction and Overview of 'Ledge'
03:59 Overview of the Story and Author
07:53 Discussion of the Plot and Characters
18:53 Appreciation for the Emotional Connection
20:28 Desire for Deeper World-Building and Character Development
21:44 Recognition of Beautiful Writing Moments
22:10 Conclusion and Anticipation for Future Books
25:47 The Potential of the Author and the Concept of the Story
29:17 Differing Opinions on the Love Story
34:42 The Middle Section and the Cliffhanger Ending
37:31 Recommendation and Excitement for the Next Installment
Music Credit:
Intro and Outro music byâ â Hot_Dopeâ â fromâ â Pixabayâ â : Winning Elevation
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In this solo episode, Majella discusses the Blood and Ash series by Jennifer L. Armentrout.
This series has received mixed reviews, with some people loving it and others hating it. Majella personally enjoyed the series and recommends it to readers who enjoy romantic books with strong characters and engaging plots.
With dual timelines, the presence of primals and gods, and the inclusion of mental health issues in the story it has over 600,000 ratings on Goodreads and 50% of those are 5 stars.
Majella found the series enjoyable and encourages readers to give it a try.
BOOKCLUB
Join us in the bookclub in June for our read of "A Court of Thorns & Roses" by Sarah J Maas
DOWNLOAD OUR BOOK RECOMMENDATION LIST
Never wonder what to read next. Get your 5 Levels of Romantasy book list from us. These are the stories that have captured our adventure and romance loving hearts over the years.
Music Credit:
Intro and Outro music byâ â Hot_Dopeâ â fromâ â Pixabayâ â : Winning Elevation
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SPOILER ALERT *No Spoilers in this review episode.
In this conversation, Carlie and Majella discuss the importance of sharing their reading journeys and the impact it has on others.
They talk about the hesitation and judgment they sometimes feel when sharing their love for romance and fantasy books. They also explore the empowering and aspirational aspects of these genres, as well as the sense of community and connection they provide.
The conversation highlights the need to celebrate and support women's passions and interests, regardless of societal expectations.
FAETED THE BOOKCLUB
Our bookclub is reading One Dark Window by Rachel Gilleg in May and you can JOIN US HERE
https://fable.co/club/faeted-the-book-club-with-carlie-298611075637
What we are reading right now.
Carlie - âOne Dark Windowâ Rachel Gilleg
Majella - âA Fate Inked in Bloodâ Daniella Jensen
LINKS
â â â Follow and interact with us on Instagramâ â â
â â â Follow and interact with us on TikTokâ â â
We do other things than read fantasy romance novels (surprise!) so check out our other content if you so wish.....
â â â See what else Carlie is up to.â â â
â â â See what else is Majella is up to.â â â
Music Credit:
Intro and Outro music byâ â Hot_Dopeâ â fromâ â Pixabayâ â : Winning Elevation
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**Spoiler Alert** This is a review episode. Do not listen if you want to read Empire of Storms.
We continue our review of Empire of Storms from the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas. This is part 2 so please listen to episode #33 first!
Key chats
- Manon and Dorian's relationship
- THE beach scene IYKYK
- SJM's talent and stunning writing
- The Manon fandom
- The horrific ending
Gosh we loved this book SO MUCH!! And we want to hear from you about what you felt throughout your read.
Feel free to message us on our platforms anytime.
Our bookclub is reading Ledge by Stacey McEwen in April and you can JOIN US HERE
https://fable.co/club/faeted-the-book-club-with-carlie-298611075637
What we are reading right now.
Carlie - âOne Dark Windowâ Rachel Gilleg
Majella - "A Fate Inked in Blood" by Daniella L. Jensen
LINKS
â â â Follow and interact with us on Instagramâ â â
â â â Follow and interact with us on TikTokâ â â
We do other things than read fantasy romance novels (surprise!) so check out our other content if you so wish.....
â â â See what else Carlie is up to.â â â
â â â See what else is Majella is up to.â â â
Music Credit:
Intro and Outro music byâ â Hot_Dopeâ â fromâ â Pixabayâ â : Winning Elevation
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SPOILER ALERT - This is a book review so only listen if you have read Empire of Storms by S.J Maas.
Empire of Storms is a gripping and emotional instalment in the Throne of Glass series. In this episode we share our favourite scenes and characters from this book. It was a struggle to keep this to only 2 parts as this book is sweeping and heartbreaking, inspiring and rousing. We could not be more enamoured with this series and this book is just phenomenal. We have split our conversation into two parts for ease of listening. Part 2 coming soon.
KEY MOMENTS
Empire of Storms is primarily a romance set during the buildup to a war.
The relationship between Lorcan and Elide is a key storyline that develops throughout the book.
The battle in Skulls Bay is a standout moment, showcasing the bravery and loyalty of the characters.
The scene with Manon and Asterin's sacrifice is emotional and highlights the theme of loyalty.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Overview
09:13 Lorcan and Elide's Storyline
23:53 Aelin and Rowan
31:52 Saving Asterin
HOW TO DO THE TANDEM READ - https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6112908a65261430ce25ff1f/t/642c3fa5938af155e55d4e91/1680621501133/EMPIRE+OF+STORMS_+TOWER+OF+DAWN+TANDEM+READ+GUIDE+%28Updated%29.pdf
Our bookclub is reading One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig in May and you can JOIN US HERE
https://fable.co/club/faeted-the-book-club-with-carlie-298611075637
What we are reading right now.
Carlie - âOne Dark Window" Rachel Gileg
Majella - "A Fate Inked in Blood" Danielle L. Jensen
LINKS
â â â Follow and interact with us on Instagramâ â â
â â â Follow and interact with us on TikTokâ â â
We do other things than read fantasy romance novels (surprise!) so check out our other content if you so wish.....
â â â See what else Carlie is up to.â â â
â â â See what else is Majella is up to.â â â
Music Credit:
Intro and Outro music byâ â Hot_Dopeâ â fromâ â Pixabayâ â : Winning Elevation
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In this conversation, Majella and Carlie discuss the topic of obsessive reading and how it can impact various aspects of life. They explore the signs of unhealthy reading habits and offer strategies to find balance.
The conversation touches on the physiological effects of reading, the need for alone time, and the potential for reading to become an avoidance tactic.
Overall, they encourage listeners to reflect on their own reading experiences and find a healthy balance.
Takeaways
Self-awareness is key in identifying unhealthy reading habits and finding balance. Reading can have physiological effects on the body, and it's important to be mindful of these effects. Different individuals have different reading habits and preferences, and what works for one person may not work for another. Consider the impact of reading on relationships, work, and other responsibilities. Engage in trial and error to determine what reading habits work best for you. Seek feedback from others to gain insight into the impact of your reading habits on your life. Understanding Individual Reading Preferences Finding Balance: Navigating Obsessive ReadingSound Bites
00:00 Introduction and Compulsive Reading
05:16 The Importance of Balance and Sacrificing Healthy Habits
12:01 Reading as an Alone Time Activity
21:30 Trial and Error in Finding Reading Balance
28:41 Addiction and the Need for Feedback
Our bookclub is reading Ledge by Stacey McEwen in April and you can JOIN US HERE
https://fable.co/club/faeted-the-book-club-with-carlie-298611075637
What we are reading right now.
Carlie - âChasmâ Stacey McEwan
Majella - The Guild Hunter Series by Nalini Singh
LINKS
â â â Follow and interact with us on Instagramâ â â
â â â Follow and interact with us on TikTokâ â â
We do other things than read fantasy romance novels (surprise!) so check out our other content if you so wish.....
â â â See what else Carlie is up to.â â â
â â â See what else is Majella is up to.â â â
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In this conversation, Carlie and Majella discuss their changing expectations and critical views of romantasy books as they read more.
They explore whether their judgement of books is due to becoming more experienced readers or if it's a result of the books themselves.
Majella shares her current read, The Guild Hunter series, which she initially didn't expect to enjoy based on the covers but ended up loving.
They discuss the idea of becoming more discerning readers and how their personal experiences and emotions can influence their enjoyment of a book. They also touch on the importance of being open-minded, trying different genres, and not being afraid to put down a book that isn't resonating with them. The conversation highlights the individuality of reading experiences and the importance of embracing personal reading journeys.
00:00 Changing Expectations and Critical Views
19:13 Theories and Speculation about A Court of Silver Flames
26:48 Introduction and Recap
33:17 The Influence of Personal Experiences on Reading
41:10 The Importance of Putting Down Unenjoyable Books
57:24 Conclusion
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SPOILER ALERT *No spoilers in this episode, just a lot of hype for an underrated series.
So Majella has devoured a 16 book series and NEEDED to talk about it as Carlie has no hope of even getting close to it for quite a while.
The Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh has been out for over 14 years now and we are wondering why it is not bigger on Booktok than it is!! We hope to change that.
Itâs got romance - of course! Archangels fighting each other, intrigue, betrayal, the love we all yearn for, mystery and development of powers, political intrigue and so much more in a rich plot filled with life and detail. She writes a spicy scene like no other - hot!!!
Majella has already called it as her series of 2023 so listen in to get a taste of what itâs about to see if you want to add it to your TBR.
If you loved ACOTAR you will adore these books, great to read while you wait for ACOTAR book 6. SJM herself has said it is her favorite romantic fantasy series.
BLURB: Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux knows sheâs the bestâbut she doesnât know if sheâs good enough for this job. Hired by the dangerously beautiful Archangel Raphael, a being so lethal that no mortal wants his attention, only one thing is clearâfailure is not an optionâŠeven if the task is impossible.
Because this time, itâs not a wayward vamp she has to track. Itâs an archangel gone bad.
The job will put Elena in the midst of a killing spree like no otherâŠand pull her to the razorâs edge of passion. Even if the hunt doesnât destroy her, succumbing to Raphaelâs seductive touch just may. For when archangels play, mortals breakâŠ
Our bookclub is reading 'Ledge' by Stacey McEwen in April and you can JOIN US HERE
https://fable.co/club/faeted-the-book-club-with-carlie-298611075637
What we are reading right now.
Carlie - âLedgeâ Stacey McEwan
Majella - The Guild Hunter Series by Nalini Singh
LINKS
â â â Follow and interact with us on Instagramâ â â
â â â Follow and interact with us on TikTokâ â â
We do other things than read fantasy romance novels (surprise!) so check out our other content if you so wish.....
â â â See what else Carlie is up to.â â â
â â â See what else is Majella is up to.â â â
Music Credit:
Intro and Outro music byâ â Hot_Dopeâ â fromâ â Pixabayâ â : Winning Elevation
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