Tea, Books, and Life

Life has been life-ing this month. Nothing too serious, just bouts of COVID. I didn’t have COVID, but the others in the house had it; however, I was spared. Apparently, it’s the luck of the draw whether or not you catch COVID. We shared the same space, air, etc. But I also think turn about is fair play…when I had COVID two years ago, they didn’t get it. So I guess it was my turn to be COVID-free.

Three weeks into the new year, I’ve read four books and has started a fifth. I’ve been reading an audiobook and an e-book; so two audiobooks and two e-books. The fifth is an e-book. But I’m going to talk about the two e-books.

God of Malice by Rina Kent. Summary from GoodReads:
I caught the attention of a monster.
I didn’t ask for it.
Didn’t even see it coming.
But the moment I do, it’s too late.
Killian Carson is a predator wrapped in sophisticated charm.
He’s cold-blooded, manipulative, and savage.
The worst part is that no one sees his devil side.
I do.
And that will cost me everything.
I run, but the thing about monsters?
They always chase.

Next time you say what I’m offering is not enough, I want you to remember this view. I want you to remember how every part of you is fucking mine.

Rina Kent, God of Malice

I don’t know how I feel about this book. I don’t mind dark romance books. Sometimes, I need the dark romance to remind me that all romance books are sweet and happy ever after, although the dark romance are happy ever afters too, just in a different way. God of Malice opening chapter including a non-consensual sex scene. Now I did read the trigger warnings AND I’ve read some of her other titles, so the content didn’t surprise me one bit. I’m just not sure how I feel about the main male character saving the main female character and then having her give him fellatio as a thanks. And, of course, she falls in love with him and he loves her as much as he’s possible (he says that he doesn’t have feelings). There’s a bit of a twist at the end. It’s a solid Rina Kent book. Rating: 3 stars

Unhinged by Vera Valetine: Description from GoodReads:

Danger’s Come A-Knocking….

Someone’s been watching Tana closely, but he’s a lot closer than she realizes. From intimate moments to lazy afternoons on the couch, he’s secretly seen it all – and fallen for her along the way. The problem is that someone else is watching too, and his obsession with Tana is a lot more dangerous. When a man claiming to be her front door enters her dreams to warn her about an imminent threat to her life, Tana initially chalks it up to her weird late-night snacks. But she rethinks things when her earnest visitor insists he’s also ready to protect her – in exchange for one hell of a favor. When Tana trades her best line of defense for an unlikely supernatural ally, the threat lurking beyond her apartment hallway starts getting desperate as the law closes in. Can her inhuman companion save her from the worst of humanity, or is it too late for both of them?

Wrapping my round brass protrusion in a soft cloth and a firm grip, she started polishing my knob with slow, smooth strokes that stirred something deep in my wood.

Vera Valentine, Unhinged

I knew this story would be ridiculous before I started reading it. I knew I’d have to suspend all reality and lower all expectations in order to enjoy the book. Unfortunately, I couldn’t suspend this much reality and my expectations weren’t low enough. But that’s not to say that there wasn’t any redeeming qualities of the book. It was a quick read, it was a fairly cute story. I don’t think that the author needed to add the pervy landlord to create some conflict. She probably could’ve used the threat of the door-man turning back into a door permanently. But that’s just my take on it. Read at your own risk. Rating: 1 star

What have you been reading this month? Do you have any recommendations of books that I should try? Let me know in the comments. Until our next literary rendezvous, cheers to the magic of tea, books, and the beautiful journey ahead.