Blog Tour – Kiss of the Royal by Lindsey Duga Review + Favorite Quotes

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Hello fellow book lovers and welcome to my Blog Tour Stop for Kiss of the Royal by Lindsey Duga hosted by The Fantastic Flying Book Club. Today, I have my review and some of my favorite quotes to share with you. Don’t forget to stay until the end, join the giveway, and check out the rest of the tour for more reviews and other fun stuff.

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Publisher: Entangled Teen

Release Date: July 3, 2018

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

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In the war against the Forces of Darkness, the Royals are losing. Princess Ivy is determined to end this centuries-long conflict once and for all, so her new battle partner must succeed where the others failed. Prince Zach’s unparalleled skill with a sword, enhanced by Ivy’s magic Kiss, should make them an unstoppable pair—but try convincing Zach of that.
Prince Zach has spent his life preparing for battle, but he would rather be branded a heretic than use his lips as nothing more than a way to transfer magic. A kiss is a symbol of love, and love is the most powerful weapon they have—but try convincing Ivy of that.
With the fate of their world on the line, the battlefield has become a testing ground, and only one of them can be right. Falling for each other wasn’t part of the plan—but try convincing their hearts of that.

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5hearts

A Creative, Magical, and Delightfully Spellbinding Read

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Sooo in LOVEEEE! Kiss of the Royal by Lindsey Duga is a wickedly entertaining and enthralling fantasy story filled with magic, myths, monsters, and royal princes and princesses battling forces of evil one KISS at a time.

I love romance stories, fairytales, and the idea that a “True Love’s Kiss” can defeat anything that is evil. When I first saw this book, the gorgeous cover and the title had me immediately intrigued. However, it was the unique premise that totally sealed the deal for me. I thought the idea about magical kisses and two unlikely heroes slowly falling in love as they battle Forces of Darkness was creative and so much fun. I expected to laugh, to swoon, and to have an epically awesome journey and I was not disappointed. In fact, I was so desperately charmed and hooked the entire time.

Some may find the idea of this book somewhat silly, and even cheesy, but I thought Lindsey Duga did fantastic at creating a world that’s different and undeniably enticing in its own magical way. The writing was mesmerizingly detailed and breathtakingly captivating that I was easily sucked into the story and could picture myself right beside the characters as they fought evil dwarves, griffins, wraiths, and curses. While some parts felt a bit slow, there were so many amazing surprises, thrilling battles, hilarious scenes, and heartwarming moments that made me excited and pleasantly entertained. I really enjoyed this story and the characters and that ending… I absolutely loved that ending.

The characters were incredibly badass, really fun, and likable. They had spunk, wit, and determination. Princess Ivy was powerful and the best in her Legion. She was stubborn and guarded, but also fierce, loyal, brave, and as much as she denied it, Princess Ivy let herself feel.  Prince Zach won me over instantly with his charming personality, humor, and heart of gold. He was definitely my kind of hero – strong-willed, but adorably sweet, and courageous, but also vulnerable. I also really liked Brom and Millennia and enjoyed the roles they played in the story.

The romance was really slow burn in this one and I have to admit… I did get somewhat impatient a few times. Just when I thought this it for Ivy and Zach… after all the wait and pages and pages of me hoping for it…it’s finally going to happen…And then BAM. Nothing. I’m suddenly thrown off and the story moves on again. That being said, the anticipation and the delicious little tease here and there had me ridiculously swooning. It was frustratingly soooo good. I don’t want to say anymore, but my heart exploded into a million different FEELS and at the end of the day, that slow burn was definitely worth it.

This was a delightfully spellbinding read that kept me up late into the night! It was whimsical, fascinating, hilarious, and magical. It’s a wonderfully written YA fantasy story with exciting adventures, awesome fighting scenes, engaging characters, and swoony kisses. I loved this book and highly recommend to everyone who’s looking for something creative and fun.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley and for participating in a Blog Tour hosted by The Fantastic Flying Book Club. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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I have SO MANY favorite quotes from this book and it was really difficult to choose. I tried to narrow it down to 5, but as you can see, I definitely ended with more than that. Hope you enjoy reading them all! Let me know which one is your favorite(s) in the comment below. 

“Isn’t the irony hilarious? The girl I love begging me to kiss her every day and I have to refuse. And I have to. Not just for my own beliefs and this golden theory, but for my own sanity. Because a kiss would mean nothing to you, while it meant everything to me.”

“I couldn’t let you go alone. Or with anyone else. You wouldn’t be safe with someone like Amias. Someone who wanted you only as a weapon. To make themselves stronger by using you. […] They wouldn’t make you feel wanted for just being you.”

“Bond wasn’t a strong enough word for what I felt for him. It was a force, a magic that defied all reasons, and logic. Love was the only thing strong enough to describe him to me. I loved him with all my heart. All my soul.”

“It’s completely and utterly irrational. It can’t be understood, and it can’t be explained. It’s unreasonbable – which is probably why the Legion doesn’t to believe it exists. It’s falling for someone even when you know they can’t love you back. […] Love is sacrifice. It’s painful. It’s wishing that you could have one more day together, one more minute, one more second together, and hoping it lasts a lifetime, and then believing maybe it could.”

“I don’t know how Love… – happens.”

“That’s the thing. It just does. No reason at all. Or maybe it’s all the reasons.”

“I want so much more than your lips, Ivy. I want your heart. Because I love you… desperately.”

“That’s what Love does right? It makes you feel pain, but courage, too.”

“Love does exist. I saw it in the way you talked about him. You still love him. You always will. And it makes you stronger. You’re not weak […] You didn’t cut out your heart or abandon your feelings — you embraced them.”

“I focused on that one sensation. That I still had hold of someone

Someone who stood with me, hands on a sword, burning in black flames, to save the kingdoms.

Someone who loved me when I cried.

Someone who loved me even if I yelled at him.

Someone who loved my freckles and my imperfections.

Someone who wanted to love me and did.”

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June 25th

Pink Polka Dot Books– Welcome Post

June 26th

Book Slaying– Review & Favorite Quotes
The Clever Reader– Q&A

June 27th

Feed Your Fiction Addiction– Guest Post
Library of a Book Witch– Review

June 28th

Flyleaf Chronicles– Review
Velvet Spade Reads– Review & Favorite Quotes

June 29th

Rambling of A Book Nerd– Q&A
The Reading Corner for All– Review

June 30th

Jill’s Book Blog– Review
Sincerely Karen Jo– Review & Favorite Quotes

July 1st

The Reading Faery– Creative Option
Donnie Darko Girl– Review

July 2nd

Vicarious Bookworm– Review & Favorite Quotes
The Lovely Books– Review

July 3rd

BookCrushin– Creative Option
Rattle the Stars– Guest Post

July 4th

F A N N A– Review
The Book Dutchesses– Review

July 5th

The Bibliophagist– Review & Favorite Quotes

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Lindsey Duga is a middle grade and young adult writer with a passion for fantasy, science fiction, and basically any genre that takes you away from the real world. She wrote her first novel in college while she was getting her bachelor’s in Mass Communication from Louisiana State University.

Other than writing and cuddling with her morkie puppy, Delphi, Lindsey loves catching up on the latest superhero TV show and practicing yoga.

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WEBSITEGOODREADSTWITTERFACEBOOK – INSTAGRAM

 entergiveaway2Prize: Win 1 copy of KISS OF THE ROYAL by Lindsey Duga. Ends July 10, 2018

 

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Hope you enjoyed reading my review! I cannot say enough how much I enjoyed and loved this book. If you love adventure, magic, romance, lovable characters, then add this book to your TBR!

Have a wonderful weekend loves!!! Until next time.

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Book Review – Distored Love by T.L. Smith

Distorted Love (Dark Intentions #1)

T.L. Smith

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5 ★ – Satisfyingly Sexy, Deliciously Dark, and Amazingly Addictive  

Genre: Romance Suspense

Release Date: March 20, 2018

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I loved him from the age of sixteen.

Hated him from the age of eighteen.

He disappeared at the age of nineteen.

We started off as enemies, then fast became lovers.

But our story isn’t a happily ever after.

It was a story of a king and a peasant. Can you guess which I was?

I knew we weren’t meant to be.

You see, he fell in love with her first. He loved me last.
I’m not someone’s second choice.

Not even for the boy who stole my heart.

I’m someone’s first.
Now, I just have to remember that.

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I honestly don’t know if I can write a coherent review for this book, so my deepest apologies if I don’t make sense. My heart is still in an incredibly messed up place right now and I’m not so sure it’s ever going to be the same. Not after going through one of the most unsettling, but freaking awesome reading experience I’ve had in such a long time. This book was dark, twisted, and disturbing, but I devoured it in less than 24 hours. It was so damn good.. so good it hurts, but I still can’t get enough. I want more… I need more!

Ughhh this book… I seriously LOVE/HATE this book so much. Distorted Love completely destroyed me in the BEST and MOST SATISFYING WAY. The story had so much darkness and heartbreak, but it was so intensely real and undeniably captivating. Not to mention, sexy, suspenseful, and thrilling. As much as I love to read lighthearted, adorable, and sweet love stories, there’s something really alluring about dark romances. That being said, I’m still very picky and most of them don’t really “click” with me. I really don’t know which stories I’ll like and enjoy, so I held back from requesting the sequel for this book.

Well, I MOST DEFINITELY shouldn’t have…

All it took is one hit and I knew without a doubt that I’ll be craving to read all of T.L. Smith’s other books. I mean there were things that bothered me and I’m still not sure how I really feel about the story and the characters. BUT… I was hooked from the very first page and this book had me reeling and on edge the entire time. I never knew  what was coming — it was so frustratingly fun, thrilling and intriguing.  My emotions were all over the place — infatuation, happiness, hate, love, anger, hope, sadness, pain. It was such a mess — a beautiful mess. This book definitely affected me so much more than I expected that even when my heart was breaking into pieces, I DID NOT WANT TO STOP READING! I don’t know how much more I can take, but I NEED the next book NOW! That ending totally ruined me and I can’t stop thinking about what’ll happen to Ryken and Saskia. There’s no other way to put it — I’m consumed by their twisted love story and so hopelessly addicted. If there’s anyone who knows just what I’m going through… that would be Camila Cabello. Her song, “Never Be the Same” describes EXACTLY how I feel towards this book. 

Love is complex, messy, and sometimes even tragic. Distorted Love left my heart broken and barely beating, but I can’t seem to let it go. T.L. Smith is such a brilliant writer who knows just how to tease, seduce, and reel you in. Once you have a taste, you’ll keep coming back for more. As soon as I finished reading, I immediately requested for Sinister Love and hoped I would get approved. And I DID!!!! I cannot recommend this book enough. You really just have to experience Smith’s gorgeous and awesome writing to know what I’m talking about. 

Current Status: Impatiently stalking my email waiting for my Sinister Love ARC to arrive. I’m so obsessed because this book… well you read my review, but I’ll just leave part of Never Be the Same lyrics here… 

Something must’ve gone wrong in my brain

Got your chemicals all in my veins

Feeling all the highs, feeling all the pain

Let go on the wheel, it’s the bullet lane

Now I’m seeing red, not thinking straight

Blurring all the lines, you intoxicate me

Just like nicotine, heroin, morphine

Suddenly, I’m a fiend and you’re all I need

All I need, yeah, you’re all I need.

 

I received an advance reader copy of this book from Enticing Book Promotions in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.


Sinister Love (Dark Intentions Duet #2) 
Releasing April 24th

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Thanks for stopping by and reading my review! I really hope you decide to take a chance and add this amazing book to your TBR. It’s such an insanely and emotionally crazy ride!! One of the best I’ve had in such a long time that I know for sure this will be in my TOP 2018 FAVORITE BOOKS. I actually already did a short Favorite Reads post if you want to check it out.

Have any of you read this book yet? What did you think? Leave your comments down below. I’d love to hear from you. And as always, have a wonderful day!!!

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