The Witch Queen

The Witch Queen

by Heather Walter

Book: The Crimson Crown Duology #2
Publisher: Del Rey
Pub Date: August 11, 2026
Genre: Ault, Fantasy, Retelling, Romantasy
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
Book Links: Goodreads  Amazon  Bookshop

The wicked queen's story did not end with a happily ever after. And she wouldn’t have it any other way.

With the king bound to her magic mirror and his daughter, the rightful heir, hidden away in the countryside, Queen Ayleth has the kingdom entirely at her command.

Despite her ultimate power, Ayleth finds herself With fears that the witches from her former coven will return to depose her. With the dread that someone at the palace will discover her secret. With her own deepening dark magic.

And with thoughts of her lost love, Jacquetta—the witch whose betrayal still haunts Ayleth as stubbornly as the lingering scent of juniper.

But Ayleth’s carefully-built world begins to unravel when Princess Blodwyn returns from exile in the company of Margaret, the king's scheming sister, and reveals a plan of her own - to invoke Braxos Trials, a contest of bravery, wisdom, and justice that will allow Blodwyn to retake the throne. Ayleth suddenly discovers herself in danger of losing the crown she sacrificed everything to win—and she will do anything to retain control.

And Ayleth isn't the only one struggling with her altered position. Blodwyn’s homecoming soon proves more difficult than she imagined. Embroiled in Ayleth’s viperous court, Blodwyn is surrounded by enemies and plagued by rumors of a long-buried curse come to life. As family secrets resurface, the princess isn’t sure who—or what—she can trust. Especially when she may be falling for one of her rivals in the trials.

As the battle for the realm intensifies, both Ayleth and Blodwyn find themselves fighting not only for the throne, but for the truth of their own souls. Soon, they must each What price are they willing to pay to wear the crown? 

 

My Review: Oh this was so good! Ayleth is Queen now and there have been many changes since we last left off. Ayleth has the kingdom under her control right now. Her mother did a surprise visit and it did NOT go well for her at all. Gosh that lady is unbearable. After that night, Ayleth is pretty sure the witches are going to try and bring her down.

She does have help though, secretly scouring for witches and taking their magic. While Ayleth is very powerful right now, she still has those thoughts of things going wrong, losing her power, position, still lingering on her ex, etc. Though I'm not a fan of lingering on her ex part. I get it, but she did you wrong in so many ways, she doesn't deserve a moment of thought and energy spent on her.

Overall, things are going pretty well though. A few bumps in the road with needing more weapons and people to fight. The typical things really. 

But when Blodwyn comes back home, things will pick up even more and you'll be unable to put this book down. The trials will have your attention. 

Both ladies will go through so much and it's hard to not like them both. Blodwyn was this sweet princess from the first book you wanted to see thrive and become something and Ayleth got along with her well and they could even be called friends at one point. Neither could be hated or disliked, which I didn't mind at all. It was a nice change to see both sides and want for both to come out of this with they they truly want and deserve. 

The duology itself was really great and it gave you such a good ending that you felt it was complete and didn't need more books to finish it off like some other duologies leave you, which I really liked.

Overall, I am sad to see this story come to end but it was really one of the best duologies I've read in a long time. I love heather's writing. I loved the retelling and that is saying something as I am not the biggest Snow White/Evil Queen fan and these books did such an amazing job with it. 

I can't wait to see what Heather comes up with next! 

My Rating:

✪✪✪✪✪

Crewel

 

Crewel
by Gennifer Albin

Book: Crewel World #1
Publisher: Square Fish
Pub Date: October 15, 2012
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Fantasy
Format: Print
Source: Bought
Book Links: Goodreads  Amazon  Bookshop

Deadly Secrets
Tangled Lies
Woven truths

Incapable. Awkward. Artless. That's what the other girls whisper behind her back. But sixteen-year-old Adelice Lewys has a secret: She wants to fail. Gifted with the ability to weave time with matter, she's exactly what the Guild is looking for, and in the world of Arras, being chosen to work the looms is everything a girl could want. It means privilege, eternal beauty, and being something other than a secretary. It also means the power to manipulate the very fabric of reality. But if controlling what people eat, where they live, and how many children they have is the price of having it all, Adelice isn't interested.

Not that her feelings matter, because she slipped and used her hidden talent for a moment. Now she has one hour to eat her mom's overcooked pot roast. One hour to listen to her sister's academy gossip and laugh at her dad's jokes. One hour to pretend everything's okay. And one hour to escape.

Because tonight, they'll come for her. 

 

My Review: I've always had such a love/hate when it comes to dystopian books. Either I love it or want to throw it out a window and bury it. 

But this book? Oh, this book needs to be read.  

Everything is controlled. Who is born when and where. The number of children you have. The type of home you're assigned. They even control how to leave the world. All in the name of safety. 

Here comes Adelice. Someone who isn’t afraid. She'll question things, fail on purpose and hell she is about to put everyone on their toes.   

Adelice is taken from her home and thrown into a new life. But at what cost? To lose her family for riches and privilege. To have the nice clothes, have her hair and makeup done and all what someone could want.  

Adelice is nothing like the girls fawning over everything. She also isn't afraid to stand out, speak up, etc. I love how strong she can be.

Many things are happening. Many people are on her side and want to help her. But they must all play their part if things are going to change around here.

This book is so fun, creative, different and I loved every moment of it. I'm just mad it took this long to get to it and I'm hoping to get through the rest of the series and finally knock out some of my older TBR books. 

My Rating:

✪✪✪✪✪

Weekly Spotlight - My DNF So Far

A Slow and Secret Poison
In the early 1900s, a young gardener at a lush English manor falls in love with her employer whose past is shrouded in deadly secrets—from the author of the “twisty, Gothic thriller” (Entertainment Weekly) Spitting Gold.

1922, When Vee Morgan accepts the job of gardener at a crumbling stately home in southwest England, she’s hoping it’s a fresh start.
But Harfold Manor is shadowed by its own grief and the memories of long-faded glory, its rooms haunted by the only surviving member of the family, Lady Arabella Lascy. Vee is fascinated by her enigmatic new employer, a woman obsessed with the curse she believes has killed her family one by one and is coming for her next. Her only hope for escape is a local the elusive dancing hare that gave her ancestor its blessing and the house its name.

But even as Vee falls deeper under the thrall of Harfold and Lady Arabella, her own dark past finally catches up to her in this lush and atmospheric novel. 

My Review

Metal Slinger

Even though she's not one of them, Brynn has spent her life among the Alaha, training to be a guard and waiting for the chance to attend the annual market hosted by the Kenta–the very same people who exiled her adopted community to a life at sea. Going to the market is a rite of passage eagerly anticipated by all young guards, but Brynn does not anticipate breaking a century-long peace treaty while there. Nor does she plan for the intense encounter with an enemy soldier that now threatens to unwind the fragile coexistence between their people–and everything Brynn once believed about herself to be true.

Brynn's loyalty to the Alaha is tested when the truth of her identity is brought to light by this soldier who's taken an oath to bring her back to where she belongs. Narrowly escaping death on the violent high seas, Brynn's connection to the Alaha is further tested when she learns about the world of magic she's been denied. She was once certain of her fate and where she belonged, but the dark, knowing eyes of this stranger have her questioning everything, including her heart.

My Review

Soul of Shadow

Charlie Hudson just wants to get through junior year. Since the death of her twin sister two years earlier, she’s drifted through life, going through the motions at school and parties and even at home. The spark that once burned so brightly within her has all but flickered out.

Until her classmate goes missing in the forest, leaving nothing behind but a pair of shoes and strange symbols carved into a tree.

Drawn to the disappearances by forces she can’t explain, she finds herself investigating the mysterious, alluring newcomer in town, Elias Everhart. With piercing eyes and sharp wit, he dances around her questions, only intriguing her further. Elias has a secret. More than one.

But what Charlie doesn’t know is that those secrets will lead her to a place she never imagined: a world hiding in plain sight, made of magic, gods, and monsters - and a first love fated to fall apart.

In Emma Noyes's Soul of Shadow, truths and temptations lurk in the darkness, and for Charlie, the only thing more dangerous than facing her past, is the boy with the power to change her future.

My Review

Fairest

A dark mafia retelling of Snow White. Perfect for fans of H D Carlton, Emily McIntire and Penelope Douglas.

I never wanted to be part of his life. I am the law, and he is everything I’ve vowed against.

But every time I see him, I can’t help but imagine what I want him to do to me.

RED AS BLOOD
He has a reputation. A dark possessive side.
I know he’d hurt me. But maybe that’s what I want…

WHITE AS SNOW
I never wanted to hurt her. She should’ve known to stay away from me.
But there’s something about her innocence that I desire.
She’s everything my fiancée is not.
But my fiancée is a jealous woman. She’s also powerful.

I know where my loyalties should lie, but the taste of purity is too tempting. Just one drop and I promise, that’ll be enough…

My Review

  

Forged in the Fire

 

Forged in the Fire
by A.L. Jackson
 
Book: Crimson Crows #1
Publisher: Author
Pub Date: June 16, 2026
Genre: Adult, Romance, Found Family
Format: ARC
Source: Author
Book Links: Goodreads  Amazon  Bookshop

It was a terrible idea to agree to protect my enemy’s sister…

The second she stepped out of her brother’s car, I knew she was a wildfire.
Spitting mad and so stunning she stole my breath.
She thinks her brother made a deal with the devil, and by working for me, she’s paying off his debt.

She doesn’t know the real reason she’s here.
Doesn’t know the danger that surrounds her.
Soon, she realizes there is something sinister lurking in the shadows.

She hates me for keeping her in the dark.
I want to hate her back, but with every sassy thing that fires from her mouth, she gets deeper under my skin.
With each heated glance, I feel myself losing control.
And when I crawl into bed with her, I combust.

I know better than thinking I can keep her. My life is nothing but secrets and peril.
But as outside threats begin to infiltrate, I’ll do anything to keep the oath I made to keep her safe.
Even expose her to the monster that I am…

 

My Review: Silas and Brinley were the absolute best start to this series and I can't wait for more.

If you read the series prior to this, you'd have meet Silas in Moonlit Ridge but now you get more than just introduction to him, you get his full story. 

Silas up and took his family to Crimson Creek. Returning home, new life and hopefully away from the danger they had back in Moonlit Ridge. 

Everyone is together on one large property. A home where Silas and his family stayed, the club house and right at the front was the auto shop that was the legal part of it all. All in hopes this will rectify what happened. 

But if peace was what Silas wanted, he sure isn't going to get it. Especially when Brinley finally arrives. Oh do I love her. She starts strong right off the bat. Directing her attitude right at Silas and she isn't going to sugar coat it making it known she isn't going to be a play thing to anyone and knows how things go and she will not be having any of it. Though she isn't aware of why she is here and what the plan is with her being there but Silas isn't going to correct her. 

Brinley is amazing throughout. She is strong and will put up a fight, especially if its means running through the property in heels and ready to hop a fence and book this joint. Quite the fun time for Silas too. Having to chase her trough the property and Brinley giving it right to him. Now that was a good scene. 

At this point, it's not even half way and I'm so invested in this story that I ended up staying up the night to finish it. I knew there was not going to be any sleep until I devoured it. 

Silas will burn down the world for his wildfire. From tension right off the bat to him finally caving into his feelings. There was no turning back. Silas and Brinley were made for each other. 

This was an absolute perfect start into a new set of MC guys to love. Not sure how after all this time, but A.L. constantly amazes me with each new book and you'll never be able to get enough of them either. 

Now I'll be not so patiently waiting for the next book.  

My Rating:

✪✪✪✪✪

Weekly Spotlight - Books Set in the 40's

 

A Girls’ Guide to Winning the War
Peggy is a librarian whose twin brother is fighting on the front lines of WW2 in 1940. When she’s given the opportunity to take on a new job assisting in the war effort herself as a proofreader for the Ministry of Information and in the Publications Department, she’s thrilled to be able to play a part in ending the war and helping her brother return home safely.

However, now she reports to socialite Lady Marigold Cecily, who seems more interested in dancing than ending the war. Peggy finds solace in writing, but when the Ministry of Information publishes her inner thoughts without her knowledge, she realizes she needs Lady Marigold’s help.

Get it Here

 
 

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of very curious photographs. It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow-impossible though it seems-they may still be alive. A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

Get it Here

The Rose Code

Bletchley Park is a real English estate and was an elegant country home before becoming the secret location of WW2 codebreakers. The Rose Code imagines the life of three women from different backgrounds who all qualified for this challenging and vital task. While the three become friends, the war and secrecy required for their jobs prove too much to keep them close.

Seven years later, in 1947, the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip is on everyone’s minds. But, when an encrypted letter is received, the former friends must reunite to crack the code and figure out which former Bletchley Park worker is now a traitor.

Get it Here

 

The Woman with the Cure
In the 1940s, polio became a feared pandemic across the world. The disease was cruel, killing or paralyzing those contracting it, with children particularly impacted. This historical fiction tells the story of a real scientist, Dorothy Horstmann, who worked desperately for a cure.

While many male scientists raced to beat each other to a polio vaccine so they could achieve notoriety, Dorothy’s eye remained on the goal of saving lives. Her name was commonly left off of the scientific discoveries she made in favor of her male co-workers, but she still forged diligently ahead.

Get it Here

How Book Tours Help Authors Reach More Readers

 

Publishing a book is only the beginning. Successful book marketing requires visibility, engagement, and consistent promotion — and that’s where book tours can make a powerful difference.

At Lovely Reads Press, our virtual book tour services are designed to help authors expand their audience, create buzz, and generate excitement around their books.

What Is a Virtual Book Tour?

A virtual book tour is an organized promotional campaign where your book is featured across blogs, social media platforms, and reader communities over a scheduled period of time.

Book tours may include:

• Book reviews
• Author interviews
• Guest posts
• Social media features
• Promotional spotlights

These features work together to keep your book visible and create momentum around your release.

Why Book Tours Work

One of the biggest challenges authors face is reaching new readers. Book tours help solve that problem by placing your book in front of audiences who already love discovering new titles.

Benefits of book tours include:

• Increased online visibility
• More reader engagement
• Additional reviews and shares
• Stronger author branding
• Long-lasting promotional content

Promote Your Book with Confidence

At Lovely Reads Press, we tailor our book tours to fit your goals, genre, and audience. We believe every author deserves personalized support and professional promotion that feels authentic and effective.

Whether you’re preparing for a new release or looking to revive interest in an existing title, our book tour services can help your book gain the attention it deserves.

Hemlock

 

Hemlock
by Kathleen Peacock
 
Book: Hemlock #1
Publisher: Katherine Tegan Books
Pub Date: May 8, 2012
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Supernatural, Fantasy
Format: Print
Source: Bought
Book Links: Goodreads  Amazon  Bookshop

MACKENZIE AND AMY WERE BEST FRIENDS.

UNTIL AMY WAS BRUTALLY MURDERED.

Since then, Mac's life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac's hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy's killer:

A white werewolf.

Lupine syndrome - also known as the werewolf virus - is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control.

Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy's murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy's boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk.

Kathleen Peacock's thrilling novel is the first in the Hemlock trilogy, a spellbinding urban fantasy series filled with provocative questions about prejudice, trust, lies, and love.

 

My Review: Yes, this book has been sitting on my TBR for ages. Yes, I'm slowly tackling the oldest books on my TBR and this book was one of them. 

Well....I got it but it wasn't as good as I had expected it to be.

Mac is just trying to exist at this point. Her best friend was taken from her by a wolf and now nothing is really the same anymore, not even their friend group.

As if things weren't already tense, Mac will learn secrets that she probably didn't need to add to her plate.

Jason, Amy's boyfriend has pretty much gone down hill since Amy died. But nothing really happens to him because he can just buy his way out of it. He drinks a lot, starts thinking about becoming a tracker and just really not the same guy anymore. Least not until the end, where the old him comes back a little.

Then you have Kyle who is Mac's best friend and things have been pretty okay with them still. Until the whole my best friend is a werewolf and I kissed him. Yeah.. when they finally cross that line from friends to maybe more it doesn't even last long at all. Kyle's ex goes all wolf, Kyle is halting things and calling it a mistake and also wants to turn himself in. Yeah, there is a lot going on here and the biggest piece is Mac not wanting him to turn himself in. He'll be in a facility for those who can become a werewolf and none seem to have a good reputation about it. 

As if things aren't already all over the place, the ending really was a twist you didn't really expect. 

Overall, the book was simply just okay. There was a lot going on, the pace was done well, the world building was fine. The ending itself was the better part where the pace picked up and became interesting enough to really pull me and keep me wanting to continue. 

Maybe its the YA aspect and they don't fully click for me anymore. But overall I did like it. I may continue the series, but for right now I'll leave it at this book. While not sold on it, it's probably your cup of tea if YA and werewolves is your kind of book. 

My Rating:

✪✪✪

Book Spotlight - Single? It's Not You. It's Your Technique! (Women's Version)

 

Single? It's Not You. It's Your Technique!

We live in a world that is more emotionally disconnected than ever—especially for the more than 40% of adults who are single. For them, getting dates, building chemistry, inspiring genuine investment, and making it past those critical first six weeks without things falling apart feels like a Herculean task. Dating today means navigating a gauntlet of app rejections, awkward silences, overthought texts, and the exhausting push-and-pull of their own attachment patterns (not to mention their potential partner’s). It can feel less like finding love and more like surviving it. But here’s the truth: it’s not you—it’s your technique. With 30 years of experience helping thousands of singles find lasting love, Alisa Goodwin Snell knows exactly what’s getting in your way—and how to fix it. Single? It’s Not You. It’s Your Technique! is a proven, practical guide that meets you wherever you are in your dating journey, giving you the tools to go from first date to real, lasting connection—with confidence.

Who Should Read This Book

Singles struggling with modern dating

Men and women are tired of unhealthy relationship patterns

Readers wanting practical relationship guidance

People seeking emotional clarity in dating

Teasers

“Chemistry without clarity creates confusion.” 
“The first six weeks can determine the future of a relationship.” 
“Dating success is not luck. It’s a technique.”

The Inspiration

These books were inspired by Alisa’s 30 years of experience helping singles understand dating patterns, emotional behavior, and relationship clarity.

 

Author Bio

Alisa Goodwin Snell has spent more than 30 years helping singles and couples build healthier, happier relationships, including 17 years as a marriage and family therapist and 20 years as a dating and relationship strategist. After seeing how often singles struggled with the gap between relationship theory and practical dating skills, she began creating techniques to simplify the dating experience. This work evolved into numerous books, audio recordings, and videos published for private sale by the Lasting Love Academy. 

Now, Alisa is releasing her books to the general population, beginning with two complementary versions of Single? It’s Not You. It’s Your Technique!, one for men and another for women. These books help readers move from fear, confusion, and unhealthy relationships toward safer, healthier, and more meaningful dating experiences with greater potential for lasting love. Her practical and compassionate techniques have helped thousands of singles bridge the differences between male and female perspectives, improve verbal and nonverbal communication, and enhance chemistry and connection. 

With warmth, insight, and decades of experience, Alisa helps readers feel more hopeful, more confident, and better equipped to find and enjoy lasting love. A sought-after speaker, she has also appeared on local and national TV and radio programs, including Good Morning America, The Family Radio Network, and Discovery/TLC.

Book Links

Amazon Women Edition 

Amazon Men Edition 
Goodreads

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