Blog Tour Review – Smoke in Her Eyes by Anna Belfrage

blogtour5

Hello fellow swoonies and book lovers! Welcome to my Blog Tour stop for the second book in Anna Belfrage’s The Wanderer Series, Smoke in Her Eyes. This blog tour is hosted by TLC Book Tours and you can check out the rest of the stops down below. divider3

smokeinhereyes2.jpg

abouthebook2

Published: March 15, 2019

Publisher: Troubador Publishing

Genre(s): Romance, Fantasy, Light Erotica

Pages: Paperback 400

synopsis4

Six months ago, Helle Madsen would have described herself as normal. Now she no longer knows if that terms applies, not after her entire life has been turned upside down by the reappearance of not one, but two, men from her very, very distant past.

Helle Madsen never believed in mumbo-jumbo stuff like reincarnation—until she came face to face with Jason Morris, a man who purportedly had spent fifty lives looking for her. Coping with being reunited with the lover from her ancient past was one thing. Having Sam Woolf, her vindictive nemesis from that same ancient past join the party was a bit too much. Suddenly, Helle finds herself the reluctant heroine of a far-flung, time-transcending epic story, one in which pain and loss seem to play a very big part.

This time round, Jason and Helle are determined to make it to the happily ever after. Unfortunately, Sam Woolf will stop at nothing to crush them. That ride into the golden sunset seems awfully far away at times…

addongoodreads2

divider4

mythoughts

A poignant, gripping, and beautifully written story of love, passion, revenge, obsession, forgiveness, and hope

5hearts2

Smoke in Her Eyes by Anna Belfrage is a breathtakingly seductive, heartwrenching, and addictive romance fantasy thriller that had me gripping the edge of my seat and holding on to my heart. Every moment I spent with Helle, Jason, and even Sam was so achingly affecting and I loved it.

Anne Belfrage’s writing is incredibly intoxicating, beautiful and so riveting that I found myself dazzled and utterly entertained until the end. Reading this book is like going on an intense emotional rollercoaster and I felt all the wonderful highs and the painful lows. Every single emotion the characters felt, I did too and it’s both heartbreaking and amazing. There’s no denying that Belfrage is a talented and creative storyteller and I think her stories are hauntingly gorgeous, compelling, and atmospheric. I’m absolutely in love with this series and I cannot wait for Book #3 to come out.

Brimming with excruciating emotional turmoil, relationship drama, sexual tension, heartbreak, danger, and some wickedly steamy moments, this book exceeded all my expectations and even surprised me. The plot is absolutely thrilling, deliciously seductive, utterly captivating, and so incredibly entertaining. I definitely felt my heart beating faster never really knowing what would happen next and often breaking into a million pieces not just for Jason and Helle, but also at times for Sam. I know Sam is the antagonist, but there’s a part of me that bleeds for him and is hoping that maybe, just maybe there’s some light left in his soul. These characters have affected me in ways I never expected and I want them to all get their happily ever after. I really love how everything played out in this book and even though some moments were difficult to read, I enjoyed all the different emotions, joy and even the anguish that I felt while reading this unique romance story.

I think the characters in this series are well-written, multifaceted, and surprising. They made me feel so much and I honestly really care about them all in some way. Belfrage created such amazing characters you’ll love, adore, admire, and sometimes even despise, but all of them will leave a lasting impression. I think they’re realistic, relatable, and fascinating individuals.

Sam is complicated and the perfect villain you want to hate, but you can’t… at least not completely. He’s cruel, vicious, and vengeful, He’s obsessive, filled with so much anger, and has felt so much pain from being rejected by Helle. I know I should want him to suffer and not have a happy ending, but he’s also very human. His emotions are very real and I could feel just how badly he hurts that all he knows to do is be angry, ruthless, and hateful. I don’t hate him, but I also don’t like him. My heart is just so torn when it comes to Sam. I really don’t approve of what he’s doing, but I do see a little glimpse of his suffering and I just can’t help but feel for him. I’m still hoping that somehow everyone, including Sam, will have an ending they deserve and maybe…just maybe Sam will change in the next book.

I wasn’t too fond of Jason… at least not for the first half or so of the story. I won’t get into why or what happens, but I really didn’t like him for quite a while. I understood why and I felt bad for what he’s dealing with, but at the same time I just expected more from him. He does eventually win me over again and when I think back and really try to put myself in his situation, I get it. He wants to do right by the people he loves and I do admire that about him. He’s very passionate, honest, and is willing to do whatever it takes to protect Helle and anyone he cares about. He still makes mistakes… he is human afterall.

Helle is such a strong, relatable, and amazing heroine. I feel like I was there with her experiencing everything she’s going through. She’s far from perfect, and just like Jason, I think her reactions are very human. I was definitely on her side and I understood her feelings of rejection and insecurity. It broke my heart to see her fall apart, but also I admire that she knows what she deserves, speaks whatever is on her mind, and isn’t afraid to show her true feelings. Her emotional and personal journey in this book made me feel so much and I cannot wait to see what Belfrage has in store for her in Book #3.

A poignant, gripping, and beautifully written story of love, passion, revenge, obsession, forgiveness, and hope, Smoke in Her Eyes by Anna Belfrage is an exhilarating fantasy romance that will grab you and never let go. It’s enchanting, thrilling, twisted, sexy, romantic, and absolutely exquisite!

I received a free copy of this book from the author for participating in a blog tour hosted by TLC Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

divider4

booksinseries

Facebook-Wanderer-Series-Banner.jpg

atorchinhisheart

In the long lost ancient past, two men fought over the girl with eyes like the Bosporus under a summer sky. It ended badly. She died. They died.

Since then, they have all tumbled through time, reborn over and over again. Now they are all here, in the same place, the same time and what began so long ago must finally come to an end.

Ask Helle Madsen what she thinks about reincarnation and she’ll laugh in your face. Besides, Helle has other stuff to handle, what with her new, exciting job in London and her drop-dead but seriously sinister boss, Sam Woolf. And then one day Jason Morris walks into her life and despite never having clapped eyes on him before, she recognises him immediately. Very weird. Even more weird is the fact that Sam and Jason clearly hate each other’s guts. Helle’s life is about to become extremely complicated and far too exciting.

heartsdivider

minireview

A Torch in His Heart ignites, thrills, and surprises. Anna Belfrage beautifully balances intrigue, angst, humor, suspense and romance leaving readers utterly desperate for more. It’s so irresistibly twisty, steamy, and exciting and I honestly cannot recommend it enough!

READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE

heartsdivider

purchaselinks

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

 

heartsdivider

COMING AUTUMN 2019

firesintheskies.jpg

 

divider4

tourschedule2

Instagram Tour

Monday, September 9th: @bookclubwithbite

Monday, September 9th: @booksandchinooks

Tuesday, September 10th: @thereadingchemist

Wednesday, September 11th: @a_bookish_dream

Thursday, September 12th: @mixed_matched_socks

Thursday, September 12th: @book_hangover88

Saturday, September 14th: @novelgrounds

Sunday, September 15th: @lovelyreadergirl

Monday, September 16th: @nsiabblog

Wednesday, September 18th: @sarahs_reads

 

heartsdivider

Review Tour

Monday, September 16th: What is That Book About – author guest post

Tuesday, September 17th: Bewitched Bookworms

Wednesday, September 18th: From the TBR Pile

Friday, September 20th: Sincerely Karen Jo

Monday, September 23rd: Stranded in Chaos

Wednesday, September 25th: @livingmybestbooklife

Thursday, September 26th: @barr_bookworms

Monday, September 30th: Audio Killed the Bookmark and @beritaudiokilledthebookmark

Tuesday, October 1st: @myreadingchronicles

Thursday, October 3rd: @sarahandherbookshelves

Monday, October 7th: @escape_in_a_book

Wednesday, October 9th: Book Fidelity

Thursday, October 10th: Treestand Book Reviews

tlc-logo-resized.jpg

divider4

abouttheauthor

annabelfrageHad Anna been allowed to choose, she’d have become a professional time-traveller. As such a profession does not exist, she settled for second best and became a financial professional with two absorbing interests, namely history and writing. These days, Anna combines an exciting day-job with a large family and her writing endeavours. Plus she always finds the time to try out new recipes, chase down obscure rose bushes and initiate a home renovation scheme or two.

Her most recent release, A Torch in His Heart, is a step out of her comfort zone. Having previously published historical fiction & historical romance, with this first book about Jason and Helle Anna offers a dark and titillating contemporary romance, complete with a time-slip angle and hot & steamy scenes.

authorlinks

Website | Facebook | Twitter

divider3

I hope you enjoyed reading this post and get to meet Jason, Helle and Sam! Don’t forget to check out the rest of the tour and add this book on your TBR.

Have you read this book? What did you think? Share your thoughts in the comments down below.

sincerelykjologo

Blog Tour – Review for The Elusive Sun by Rebecca Hefner

blogtour5Hello lovelies and welcome to my Blog Tour Stop for the Etherya’s Earth Series, by Rebecca Hefner  hosted by Silver Dagger Book Tours. This series is a reimagining of the age-old Vampyre/Slayer saga and it’s absolutely seductive, steamy, thrilling, and so much fun!

I’ll be reviewing book 2 from the series – The Elusive Sun, which is about Latimus and Lila and they are just so darn swoony and perfect for each other.  The rest of the books are all published, so you can definitely binge this addictive vampire romance. Don’t forget to follow the rest of the tour.

divider3

2- The Elusive Sun

abouthebook2

Published: January 1, 2019 by Rebecca Hefner

Genre(s): Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance

Formats: Paperback, 226 pages /  Kindle Edition, 283 pages

buyonamazon

heartsdivider

synopsis

Lila, a high-born aristocrat of the Vampyre kingdom, was betrothed to Sathan, King of the Vampyres, for a thousand years. The betrothal, declared by the goddess Etherya, was deemed unbreakable. Although she cared for Sathan, and loved him as her king, secretly her heart yearned for his brother. When Sathan falls for another, Lila ends the betrothal, terrified at what her life will become now that she won’t be queen.

Latimus has loved Lila since they played together on the grassy riverbank as children. Knowing that his brother was the better man, he never begrudged his betrothal to the woman he secretly loved. Now that Sathan has married another, Latimus becomes aware of Lila’s feelings. Determined to push her into the arms of a worthier man, he understands that a war-torn army commander such as he could never offer her the life she deserves.

As the war against the Deamons rages, Latimus fights for his people, protecting them against the evil Deamon Crimeous. But when the Dark Lord attacks Lila, injuring her terribly, Latimus is shaken to his core. Determined to avenge her, he acknowledges the emotion that has always burned for her in his blackened heart. But Lila has moved on and as the war rages he worries that it might be too late to claim her…

addongoodreads2divider4

mythoughts

Alluring, Steamy, and Wonderfully Emotional

5hearts2

Oh my FEELS!!! The Elusive Sun has exceeded all my expectations and Etherya’s Earth series will always have a piece of my heart.

Latimus and Lila have loved each other from a distance for centuries because of Lila’s betrothal to Sathan, The Vampyre King and older brother of Latimus. When Sathan falls in love with Miranda, the Slayera Princess, Lila ends her betrothal to him and embarks on a new path hoping that one day she too will have the love she’s always dreamed about. Knowing nothing but war, blood and death, Latimus continues to push Lila away believing himself too unworthy of her love. With the Daemon Lord, Crimeous, still lurking and causing pain, destruction and death, will Lila and Latimus have a chance at love and happiness and finally realize that their love is worth fighting for?

I’m absolutely addicted to this series and if you loved The End of Hatred,  then you’re going to love The Elusive Sun just as much or even more. Sathan and Miranda’s book has a bit more action, suspense, and thrill compared to this one, but Latimus and Lila’s story is flowing with so many aching and wonderful FEELS that I was an emotional mess and I LOVED it. This series has all the feels I love, but there’s just something so amazingly real, raw, and beautiful between Lila and Latimus. My heart broke and hurt so much for them and every pain, loss, and sadness they went through. They truly deserve all the love and happiness and if there’s one thing I learned from their story… it’s that even after a devastating tragedy, there’s always hope, love, family, and unexpected surprises that will get you through the darkest days.

I love Lila since the first book. She’s kind, patient, loyal, caring, and forgiving. I think she’s such a selfless person so I really enjoyed seeing become more independent living her life the way she wants. Even when she feels terrified and unsure, Lila does not give up. All the things I learned about her in this book made me admire her even more. Lila is simply amazing – she’s fierce in her own ways, incredibly brave, and has a good loving heart.

I adore Latimus with all my heart. He’s tough, courageous, loyal, and a great commander. He may act all hard and heartless at times, but Latimus is actually really noble and selfless. He does and will do anything for the people he loves. Latimus is also really sweet and quite the romantic. I swooned so much at everything he does for Lila. That man has a heart of gold and has my love and admiration forever.

I can honestly rave about everything I love about this book, but this review may never end if I do, so I’m just going to mention a few more that I love. It’s so nice to see Sathan and Miranda and their playful bantering still gives me the swoons. The supporting characters are even more charming and I can’t wait to read Arderin’s book. There’s plenty of heartwarming moments in this book that made me teary and the ending is just so sweet and perfect. I REALLY LOVE THIS BOOK/SERIES!!

Rebecca Hefner is a masterful storyteller and I’m so smitten with everything about this book and series. This alluring world filled with irresistibly charming characters, engrossing and heartfelt storylines, and steamy, sexy, and seductive romances has me utterly enthralled. I would get sucked into anything Ms. Hefner writes and I cannot wait to see what happens next in this thrilling paranormal series.

This book / series is perfect for paranormal romance fans and if you’re looking for something sultry, exhilarating, and also touching, then this is the book for you. It’s a gripping story about loss, war, and death, but it’s also such a wonderful story about family, forgiveness, love, hope and  second chances.

Sending a million virtual hugs to Rebecca Hefner for sending me a signed paperback copy of The Elusive Sun. I honestly love this series so much and will forever treasure all these book beauties.

All thoughts and opinion are my own and most definitely not affected by receiving a free copy of this book.

divider4

booksinseries

 
abouthebook2
Slayer Princess
Miranda, heir to the throne, has hated the Vampyres for a thousand
years. Since the Awakening, she’s fought to protect her people,
choosing to be a warrior more than a royal. When a female Vampyre
washes up on the shore of her compound’s riverbank, she seizes the
moment to take the offensive.
Sathan, King of the Vampyres,
distraught at his sister’s disappearance and captivity, agrees to
travel with Miranda to resect the Blade of Pestilence, also hoping to
change his people’s state of endless war. Although the woman hates
him due to the constant raids on her compound for the Slayers’
life-giving blood, he can’t help but admire the stubborn and strong
princess.
As their journey progresses, both begin to
understand that they are aligned in their hatred of Crimeous, leader
of the Deamons, as well as their hope for peace between the Slayers
and Vampyres. Determined to fight their growing attraction, they
forge a tentative truce. But old wounds run deep and trust is scarce.
Their faith in each other must remain strong or all will be lost…
**The Etherya’s Earth series is best read in order, so that the reader can enjoy the evolution of the characters. After all, the author loves a good twist and wants the reader to uncover them organically. However, readers of romance rest assured that each book has its own featured hero/heroine and HEA.
addongoodreads2
heartsdivider
 
 
abouthebook2
Arderin,
princess of the illustrious Vampyre kingdom, has always marched to
the beat of her own drum. Motivated by a calling to heal others,
frustration consumes her since her brother, King Sathan, doesn’t
understand her desire to study medicine in the human world. Moreover,
the son of the Dark Lord Crimeous has moved onto their compound and
he seems obsessed with driving her absolutely insane. Hating him for
his sharp tongue and dark nature, she tries to squelch her unwelcome
attraction to him.
Darkrip has been enthralled by Arderin
since the night he knocked her unconscious and sent her down the
river, prompting the end of the War of the Species. Never has he met
a woman more beautiful and passionate. Frustrated by her dramatics
and consumed by his desire for her, he vows to stay away. For the son
of Crimeous, with his malevolent blood, could never have children or
a normal life.
When Crimeous threatens both their lives,
forcing them into a shared captivity, they do everything they can to
escape and survive. As their connection grows, so does their
attraction. Knowing they have no future together, and the
consequences of furthering their relationship would be disastrous,
they forge ahead in the conflict against the Dark Lord. But the
Universe is fickle and can muddle with even the best laid intentions…
addongoodreads2
heartsdivider
 
 
abouthebook2
Evie,
daughter of virtuous Princess Rina and malicious Deamon King
Crimeous, is a woman torn in half. The first centuries of her life
taught her fervent lessons about pain and suffering. For ages, she
suppressed her mother’s noble blood, crafting a reality where she
was drifting alone, needing no one. Until an ancient prophecy calls
to her, possibly creating a purpose for her squalid
existence.
Kenden has commanded the Slayer army for a thousand
years. Strong, cunning and loyal, he longs for the day when Crimeous
has been defeated and he can settle down to build a family. Focused
on conquering the Dark Lord, he is stunned when Evie makes a brazen
demand that must be fulfilled before she chooses to fight with
them.
Although incensed by Evie’s ultimatum, Kenden has
never desired a woman more than the flame-haired vixen. Though she
stirs his ire, he also has a deep well of compassion for the beauty
who suffered so much trauma centuries ago. Together they train and by
night their connection grows, building toward the moment when they
will battle her father. But, in the end, Evie has a choice and
struggles to espouse righteousness over malevolence. For when one’s
worst fears are exposed, the evil is so much easier to embrace…
addongoodreads2

divider4

abouttheauthor

rebeccahefnerphotoRebecca Hefner grew up in Western NC and now calls the Hudson River of NYC home.  In her youth, she would sneak into her mother’s bedroom and raid the bookshelf, falling in love with the stories of Judith McNaught, Sandra Brown and Nora Roberts.  Years later that love of a good romance, with lots of great characters and conflicts, has extended to her other favorite authors such as JR Ward and Lisa Kleypas.  Also a huge Game of Thrones and Star Wars fan, she loves an epic fantasy and a surprise twist (Luke, he IS your father).

Rebecca published her first book in November of 2018.  Before that, she had an extensive twelve-year medical device sales career, where she fought to shatter the glass ceiling in a Corporate America world dominated by men.  After saving up for years, she left her established career to follow the long, winding and scary path of becoming a full-time author.  Due to her experience, you’ll find her books filled with strong, smart heroines on a personal journey to find inner fortitude and peace while combating sexism and misogyny.  She would be thrilled to hear from you anytime at rebecca@rebeccahefner.com

authorlinks

Website – Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – Amazon – Goodreads – BookBub

 

Follow the tour HERE
for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!
enterthegiveawaywheart
 

divider3

Thanks for stopping by lovelies and I hope you enjoyed reading my review.

As always, have a great and lovely day!

sincerelykjologo