Hello my lovelies. Today, my bookish post for this week’s Top 5 Tuesday includes some unexpected reads and a surprise.
Last year, I sporadically joined in with Top 5 Tuesday, a weekly meme hosted by Shanah @ Bionic Book Worm and I’ve decided to add my thoughts to the mix today. Shanah kindly posts the weekly topics the month before so that we’ve got some time to think about what to write but I’ve left it to the last minute – again! 😉
If you’re interested in participating in Top 5 Tuesday, all you have do is write up your post and pingback to one of Shanah’s posts. Make sure you pingback to her post and not just her blog so she can add you to the list of participants.
So this week, Shanah came up with the topic – TOP 5 BOOKS THAT WEREN’T WHAT I EXPECTED
It wasn’t long ago that I posted my Most Surprising Reads in 2019 and I don’t want to repeat myself, so I’m taking a bit of a liberty with this week’s topic. I had a look at the 10 books I’ve read so far this year and realised that a few of them did surprise me but I’m mixing it up with something else too. 😉
I have linked each image to the author’s website or my review where you’ll find all the information about the book, purchase links and lots of other fun stuff too. All my links open in a new tab so that you don’t lose your place here. OK, so without further ado, on to tales of the unexpected …
Three Mages and a Margarita by Annette Marie
Broke, almost homeless, and recently fired. Those are my official reasons for answering a wanted ad for a skeevy-looking bartender gig.
It went downhill the moment they asked for a trial shift instead of an interview–to see if I’d mesh with their “special” clientele. I think that part went great. Their customers were complete jerks, and I was an asshole right back. That’s the definition of fitting in, right?
I expected to get thrown out on my ass. Instead, they … offered me the job?
It turns out this place isn’t a bar. It’s a guild. And the three cocky guys I drenched with a margarita during my trial? Yeah, they were mages. Either I’m exactly the kind of takes-no-shit bartender this guild needs, or there’s a good reason no one else wants to work here.
So what’s a broke girl to do? Take the job, of course–with a pay raise
Annette Marie is a new-to-me author, but I was weary of picking this up as she is a well respected YA author and I usually avoid YA like the plague, but I quickly found myself really enjoying this book and have since gone on to read book 2 in the series – Dark Arts and a Daiquiri.
A Little Night Magic by Angie Fox
New York Times bestselling author Angie Fox is back with an enchanting collection of six sweet, quirky, laugh-out-loud tales of paranormal mischief.
Enter a world of magic with the ever-popular and always rowdy biker witches; take off on a spine tingling adventure with a Southern good girl turned reluctant ghost hunter; and sizzle in the sultry heat of New Orleans as a voodoo mambo makes one very big mistake when casting a love spell.
These charming tales of love, friendship, and laughter are a pure delight.
Features six short stories (also available individually on Kindle):
A Ghostly Gift ~ Ghost of a Chance ~ Gentlemen Prefer Voodoo ~ I Brake for Biker Witches ~ Date with a Demon Slayer ~ Some Like It Hexed
I’m a big fan of Angie Fox’s Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries and love her writing style. After reading these stories, I prefer our heroine in the Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries, Verity, to Lizzie the Accidental Demon Slayer heroine as she doesn’t seem to hesitate to help someone in need. In fact, Lizzie often frustrated me with her less than heroic thoughts and actions. *sigh*
The Bite That Binds by Suzanne Wright
It’s just over a week until Sam will be Binding with Jared, and the only thing she wants is to spend that time relaxing and preparing for the ceremony. Unfortunately, she seems to be asking too much of fate, because suddenly she’s lumbered with a number of distractions that have the potential to postpone, or even cancel, the Binding. There’s a guarded fiancé to crack, a complicated assignment to deal with, Jared’s ex to alienate, and a bunch of snobbish Master Vampires to win over – or offend, whichever. On the upside, things couldn’t possibly be any worse, could they?
Actually, yes they could. Due to a cruel twist of fate, something strange is happening to Sam –something that is changing her in ways she doesn’t like or understand. With the help of Jared and those closest to her, she has to not only handle the threats to the Binding Ceremony, but find a way to fix what has been done to her – and fast.
Suzanne Wright is still a relatively new-to-me author, I’ve now read two books in this series and loved them both! If I hadn’t met her at RARE19 in London last year and spoken to some of her fans, I wouldn’t have picked up these books because they look like trope-filled YA reads: You all know how I feel about those. *blugh*
How To Love Your Elf by Kerrelyn Sparks
Raised in isolation on the magic-shrouded Isle of the Moon, five girls became five sisters. Now women, they are ready to claim their places in the world—and perhaps change it forever . . .
FLAME AND FORTUNE
Sorcha knew the mission was dangerous. Leaving the safe grounds of her brother’s kingdom and parlaying with the elves across their border . . . well, treachery seemed at least as likely as true peace. But to support her sister, Sorcha would brave far more than the underhanded ways of the elves. Or so she thought, before she was taken hostage.
Of course, her captors didn’t count on her particular abilities—or on the help of the Woodsman, the mysterious thief who made his home in the forest. He saw the battle from the trees, saw the soldier attacking against incredible odds to save a comrade—and then saw the valiant fighter revealed as Princess Sorcha of Norveshka. He can’t tell if he wants to kidnap her or kiss her. But despite Sorcha’s stubbornness, his inconvenient honor, and a rebellion on the cusp of full war, something burns between them that neither can let go . . .
I was blown away when Kensington Books approved my request to read and eARC of this much awaiting new series – SURPRISE! I will be reading it and posting my thoughts soon as it’s being released on 25th February. 😉
Well, that’s it for this week sharing my unexpected reads and a surprise. Have you read any of these books? What would your unexpected read be?
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to read my post. Now that you’ve read mine, why not hop along to some of the other amazing blogs taking part in this week’s Top 5 Tuesday.
Don’t forget to leave a link to your Top 5 Tuesday post so I can visit your blog if you’re joining in the fun this week or just drop me a comment below.
I hope you enjoy the rest of your week and read some fantastic books.
Bye for now,
Flora x
9 replies on “Some unexpected reads and a surprise ~ Top 5 Tuesday”
Looks like you found some fun and interesting reads!
I definitely need to pick up How To Love Your Elf (and also … how awesome is that title?!). Three Mages and a Margarita sounds really good, too (and also another fabulous title).
I know what you mean, Sammie, they’re great titles!
I so loved that one by Suzanne Wright! It was my first by her and I totally loved it 😉
I’m going to be working my way through the series this year, Sophie. She’s written other series too but I want to get this vampire one under my belt first before adding more to my TBR pile! 😉
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I think the book cover of the Angie Fox one looks fun, it does catch the eye.
Yes, it’s definitely on the fun, cozy side of the paranormal mystery genre which I think the cover implies perfectly.