Welcome to Litsy!

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It‘s been a while since I‘ve read a Viking-themed fantasy, and “A Fate Inked in Blood” was one that I found interesting. Bjorn is a heck of a character (in a good way), but Freya was a tad annoying at times. Now onto the sequel!

I have mixed feelings on this book. On one hand it felt like a unique magic system. On the other I feel like I‘ve seen some of the plot play out when watching the first few seasons of ‘Vikings.‘ The FMC is manipulated and treated like garbage by all except the MMC. And all she feels is guilt the whole time for being a ‘bad‘ wife/daughter/sister. For 400+ pages. It was a bit exhausting. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I do NOT get the hate, guys. This book was swoon-worthy! Now, I love Vikings, and have watched every Viking show there is, so maybe I‘m biased, but Bjorn— what a man!! I am going to be dying until book 2 release. Also, The Bridge Kingdom is moving up on my TBR. 5/5

For #weeklyfavorites, I DNF‘d the #whimsicalreadsbookclub pick. I really tried my best but I couldn‘t get into it. From the beginning, I just knew it wouldn‘t be for me. It‘s a Viking fantasy romance. I‘m willing to still try out some other Viking books though.

Here‘s my review.

#hailthebail #whimsicalreadsbookclub

I don‘t really know what‘s going on in this story. The woman in this book killed her husband and there‘s supposed be a new husband. There‘s no romance or sex yet. I‘m so bored and I‘m not liking the characters in this book. I don‘t care about what‘s going on but I‘m not bailing on it yet. One of the women said that the new guy is hot and I just rolled my eyes.

#whimsicalreadsbookclub

1. In The End - Linkin Park

2. The tagged book is a Viking fantasy romance and it has Norse Mythology. In this book, the woman killed her husband. There‘s no romance or sex yet but there‘s a guy who‘s supposed to be the new husband. I don‘t really know what‘s going on in this book right now but I‘m not enjoying it. I‘m so bored. I don‘t think there‘s an Linkin Park song for this book.

#two4tuesday

I enjoyed this month‘s #whimsicalreads book club pick. Lots of Norse mythology and our FMC Freya is born with a drop of a God‘s blood so everyone is trying to use her to achieve their own ambitions. I enjoyed the love story but quite a cliffhanger ending so I‘ll def have to read book 2. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I started this month‘s pick for the #whimsicalreadsbookclub and I don‘t know what to think about it. I‘ve never read a Viking fantasy romance. When I get about 60% of the way through this then I‘ll decide if I want to continue reading this book or not.

This book is a Viking fantasy romance and it‘s Norse Mythology. I have a reading buddy with me. My mom and I haven‘t adopted him yet but he‘s been showing up here every day wanting to eat so we‘ve been feeding him and we‘ve been calling him Tom. I posted something on my neighborhood‘s Facebook group asking if anyone is missing a kitty. If no one claims him then we‘ll adopt him.

#WhereAreYouMonday #whimsicalreadsbookclub

Freya, born with the blood of a protection goddess in her veins, is pulled into a fight for a kingship beyond her understanding. & her only ally is her new husband‘s very attractive & charming son.

This had a lot I liked. Fantastic scene setting, absolutely fascinating magic systems & interpretation of children of gods. However, I could not care less about this romance, which made everything else w/ these characters feel flat. So, YMMV.🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑

It took a while to keep my interest. Towards the end things picked up. Ill read the next one but i dont have high hopes unfortunately.

So far, I'm really enjoying this book. i had to remove the dust cover, so my 1year old wouldn't tear it, lol

I found this beauty at a used bookstore Sunday! Just in time for #WhimsicalReadsBookClub 💫🙌🏻

This was a pretty good fantasy. A little bit steamy which I liked and I liked the characters but it definitely was for fantasy lovers. Hard to follow in some parts if you‘re not used to the genre and on audio it was a little tough, but still pretty good. Kept my interest mostly all the way through and I would be interested in reading the rest of the series.

Thank you so much! @Meshell1313
Those cookies and sweets will not last long! So excited for them all. Can't wait to start these books.
@Chrissyreadit

I realized today that not only have I not finished a BOTM challenge since 2020 (which I may or may not have cheated a bit on 😉), but I am not even close to completing this year.

I have done a pretty good job knocking books off my Kindle TBR so far in 2024, so my goal for the rest of the year is to focus on my #BOTM backlog. I‘ve only finished the tagged book halfway through the year!

So much emotions while reading this book!! My heart almost couldn‘t take it!! Many twists and turns and then left shocked how it ended!! My head is still spinning!!

I absolutely loved this start to a new Nordic inspired fantasy series! Freya‘s story hooked me from the very start and the flirting and banter between her and Bjorn was delightful! I may have figured out the major plot twists pretty early on, but it didn‘t detract from my reading experience at all! It‘s nice to be right! And I cannot wait for the sequel! A great #BookofTheMonthClub choice for sure!

Vikings but in a book? Yes please!

Does I think this one lives up to the hype? Not really. Is it still good? Yes! #LitsyLoveReads

A fast-paced read about a woman “blessed” by the goddess of protection who finds herself used as a pawn in man‘s quest to become king. The most interesting aspect of the story is that those touched by the gods can choose their fate while normal people have had their lives written by fates upon birth.

May #bookspin complete @TheAromaofBooks

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I enjoyed reading a story inspired by Norse mythology and the audiobook narration was great! I didn‘t really connect with Freya, though, and this dragged for me a bit in the middle. I probably won‘t continue with this series, but I‘m glad I gave it a try! 🎧

This is a fantastic take on Norse mythology! I loved the forbidden romance and the slow burn definitely paid off. I especially enjoyed Freya as her character grew throughout the story. She is an excellent example of a strong female main character done well. And how can you resist the force that is Bjorn. Filled with lots of adventure, battles, and backstabbing (along with a twist that leaves the reader with an exciting cliffhanger)!

The plot plotted along and pages kept turning, but it was the spice that kept me in it. Ultimately an enjoyable slow burn full of Gods, magic, power, secrets and plenty of lust. I‘m not sure that I would be eager to read a long series to follow, but I‘ll definitely pick up the next book. 3.5 ⭐️ rounded up.

Though a little slow paced, I enjoyed this new historical fantasy romance. Based on Viking mythology a woman who is fated to help win wars struggles through all the men manipulating her. I look forward to the next book in the series. Note that there is some romance in here, but it is a very slow burn. 4⭐️

Tagged book was my favorite read for March. But sorry, it wasn‘t better than Ruthless Vows!

Overall, I really liked this book and can‘t wait for the next one!!

Bk19 of my 2024 #BookMail is another gorgeous edition. I may be still struggling to read but I‘m collecting pretty books! A Norse inspired fantasy,Freya spends her day gutting fish, bound in an unwanted marriage, but dreams of being a warrior. And of putting an axe in her boorish husband‘s back. When he betrays her to the regions jarl, she ends up in a fight to the death against his son. But Freya has a secret, she possess a drop of goddess blood.

My goals for #marvelousmarch is to finish the tagged book and pick up and finish the other 2! I haven‘t had much time for physical reading lately but I‘m hoping to change that this weekend and next week.

This book is GRRREEAAAAT!!! 🤩🤩🤩 Vikings, fantasy, spice, adventure, and a fantastic narrator! #daniellejensen

I can see why this was a highly desired story, but it didn‘t sit right for me. The mystery of Freyas heritage was compelling, and was kept just out of reach. Enough that it was a good surprise at the end. End twist was a good touch, kinda made sense. My biggest complaint was how fast stuff went; too fast to absorb. The romance was unexpected spicy, and didn‘t feel authentic to me. Knew I couldn‘t trust any of these men.

#BOTM books are up for March. These are my picks. Mostly I wanted Murder Road.
I was rather disappointed with the finalists for the BOTM awards this year. Mostly I picked The Wishing Game because I like the cover 🤷🏼‍♀️
What did everyone else pick?

I made quite the noise when the tagged book was an option, so that had to be my pick.

I already owned all but Shark Heart for the BOTY finalists. We‘ll see if I actually read this book.

@wanderinglynn Put Lynn Painter on my radar and her new book sounds really fun!

March #botm

I‘m such a sucker for beautiful books!#AFateInkedInBlood#SagaofTheUnfated#DanielleLJensen#BeautifulBooks#NorseFantasy#Duology

My February FairyLoot Adult Fantasy was delivered. This month's book was A Fate Inked in Blood. I absolutely love this edition. Can't wait to read the book.

1) This year I eased back into reading as I‘d been in a 2yr slump. I set a goal of 30 &ended up reading over 160 books, so I‘d say my slump is over!
2) December has been a month of disappointing reads; the tagged book is my only 5 ⭐️ read this month.
3) I want to finally start Sarah J. Mass‘ Crescent City series, but I‘m also nervous as expectations are high!

Thanks for the tag! @eeclayton
Tagging @JackOBotts if you want to join & anyone else!

It‘s been a while since a fantasy has grabbed me & pulled me into the story, but I found myself totally engrossed in this Norse based fantasy.

This had all the elements I love: a heroine finding her strength and her way, tension & chemistry amongst the characters, forbidden romance, never knowing who you can trust, & the perfect blend of action & plot. The ending leaves us with the perfect set up for book 2 & I cannot wait to see what happens.