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Review: Crown of War and Shadow by J.R. Ward
Crown of War and Shadow
J.R. Ward
Kingdom of the Compass Series, Book 1
466 pages, Hardcover
First published February 17, 2026
An outcast burdened with a curse and a mercenary who’s out for himself collide in this star-crossed, slow-burn, high-stakes romantic fantasy from #1 New York Times bestseller J. R. Ward.
In the dead of night, passions rise and empires fall.
Welcome to Kingdoms of the Compass.
The Fulcrum is failing, and demons are slipping into the mortal world, stalking the night.
No one is safe.
Especially not Sorrel. An orphan and an outcast, she’s spent her whole life within the walls of her small village, ostracized for her mystical abilities. She wants to survive…and maybe find somewhere she can call her true home. But Fate has other plans.
Sorrel has been chosen. Cursed.
She must cross the Badlands to return the Queen’s crown and convince the fearsome female to save their world from destruction.
Well aware she’s no brave hero, Sorrel makes a dangerous deal with Merc, a brooding, commanding mercenary known only by his unscrupulous profession.
The deal? A night in his bed that she will never forget, in exchange for her safe passage.
But Merc has secrets of his own, and even though passion runs hot between them, enemies are around every corner, and danger and betrayal threaten at every turn.
Crown of War and Shadow is the first book in the Kingdoms of the Compass series.
Crown of War and Shadow
*Forced proximity/Only one bed
*Chosen mates
*Dark mercenary
*Who did this to you?
*Touch her and die
*I’ll die for you
*Hidden magic
4 Stars
J.R. Ward was one of the first authors that I fell in love with when I began my reading journey after my son was diagnosed with autism. She is one of my top contributors as to why I love paranormal romance. If you were looking for a fantasy version of the black dagger brotherhood, this is not it. Does this book hold up with the BDB? Yes, I believe it does, however it is a different writing voice with a different subject matter.
Crown of War and Shadow is a perfect example of phenomenal world building. As we navigate through this new world, the reader is given visit imagery that allows you to transform the words into a scene in your mind. Sorrel is an orphan who is carrying a curse. She has never known any family and has lived out her entire life confined within the walls of her small village. Working as a bar maid, but she carries an ability that makes people look away from her. She has skills she doesn’t understand or even know where they came from. Merc does not have the typical night in shining armor reputation. He is a mercenary that has his own set of rules and plays his own game.
Over the course of the book we embark on a fantasy journey. A slow burn romance with betrayal and secrets, truth and magic, love and self discovery. J.R. Ward hit the dark romantasy world with a bang. Crown of War and Shadow gave me some very Anne Rice feels while reading. Honestly, that has to be one of the highest compliments I can get. The setting and scenery descriptions are absolutely amazing, the world building is fantastic and even though it may take some time to see it, the characters have depth and growth. I very much look forward to see how the rest of the story plays out.
Review: Of Ink and Alchemy by Sloane St. James
Of Ink and Alchemy
Sloane St. James
Black Rabbit Series, Book 1
450 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 3, 2026
All’s fair in love and war at a tattoo parlor―until a stalker enters the picture―in this deliciously dark romance from the author of the Lakes Hockey series.
Even before her father’s death, Kelly Everhart always knew Logan Teller was someone she could rely on. Now he’s taken over the Black Rabbit tattoo shop and brought her along with him. And while Kelly still finds her former crush and current mentor hot as hell, they’re firmly in the friendzone. Or so she thinks . . .
Logan’s been biding his time, but he’s no longer leaving anything to chance―not since Kelly started getting serious with her boring boyfriend. And as Logan manipulates the situation and sabotages the couple every chance he gets, Kelly starts to notice all the ways her Jason doesn’t quite measure up to the man who’s always been such a huge part of her life.
When her relationship with Logan suddenly goes from playful and platonic to strictly sinful, Kelly can’t stop herself from falling head over heels. But just as things are heating up between them, she starts receiving anonymous messages with information only a few―including Logan―could possibly know about her. Can she trust him after all?
Of Ink and Alchemy is a dark romance with a morally gray MMC and mature content featuring explicit scenes.
4.5 Stars
Kelly Everhart is living in and trying to break out of the shadow that is her namesake. Being the daughter of a major influential tattooist, her name alone, gives her big shoes to fill and exceed. With her father ‘s passing Kelly deals with major loss while putting everything of herself into her art. Logan, her father ‘s protégé, now her mentor and her best friend is a constant in her life. Yes she has crushed on him and is attracted to him, but everything is strictly in that friend zone. Or is it?
Logan Teller is an amazing tattooist and current owner of black rabbit tattoos. Logan yes oh my God I need a fan myself hot. Description of his face and those glasses my goodness ladies. Logan is obsessive and possessive and morally gray. Logan always knew that Kelly was the one for him and he decided to buy his time patiently waiting for the girl that he deemed his. My goodness does this man have the most delicious dirty mouth on him. Promising Kelly’s father that he would care for her when he was no longer here was an easy one to make, but waiting for her to choose him makes him do a few questionable things. All in the name of love right.
Of Ink and Alchemy was a sinfully delicious read. Level five on the spice, with that dark and slightly forbidden edge and some well written suspense, makes this story unbelievably good. Chefs kiss all the way. Logan and Kelly worked so well together. They’ve known each other for years and have a friendship that is bonded deep. There is one Smexy scene that is so emotionally fueled. I can’t even begin to describe how good it was.
Feelings boiled with hatred, combined with chemistry that is about to explode. Yes, that one was really hot. This is my first time reading anything from Sloane St. James and will definitely not be my last. Her writing style is amazing, and she was able to paint this beautiful vivid story with words.
As always, please check the trigger warnings as this does contain darker content. Your mental health comes first and please only read what is comfortable for you.
Review: When You Blush by Kristen Proby
When You Blush
Kristen Proby
The Blackwells of Montana Series, Book 4
420 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 2, 2025
Blake
I don’t do relationships, but I’m excellent at casual hookups. That’s not to say I’m a jerk. Not at all. I respect women—all women—and I know the value of love. But I’m married to my job as a physician. In fact, I’m married to the hospital, having a full-time affair with the clinic, and my family is my side piece. I don’t have time for a relationship with a woman.
But then the most beautiful human I’ve ever laid eyes on walks onto my plane, and my world tilts. Thanks to a Montana snowstorm, I spend one incredible night with Harper but wake up alone. She never told me her last name. She’s just … gone. It would figure that the one woman I could see myself breaking my own rules for is the one I can’t have.
Harper
It’s time for me to come home to Montana to help take care of my dad and pick up the slack for my siblings. I’ve been gone for a long time, but this beautiful corner of the world is my home. I’m excited to start my job as a NICU nurse at Bitterroot Valley General and begin a new chapter in my life. A fresh start. A clean slate.
Then he walks into the room, and it’s suddenly hard to breathe. Blake was the one-night stand who still haunts my dreams. The man can do things. Amazing things. But I never thought I’d see him again. Okay, that’s a lie. I knew he worked at this hospital, but he’s an ER doctor. I’m in a different department, so I planned to avoid him. Yet that didn’t last more than the first hour of my first shift.
Now, he’s pursuing me and saying things like forever. But with a past like mine, can I trust that he won’t tire of me and leave? Or is this finally my happily ever after?
5 Stars
Just when I think Kristen Proby cannot come up with another male lead that is going to make me go super swoony, she releases another book that tops the last one. Blake Blackwell is seriously my new book boyfriend and maybe the best fictional man ever written.
When You Blush is a small town, one night stand, forced proximity, he falls first type of romance story. Blake Blackwell admits he is married to his job. Being a doctor consumes almost all of this time and what spare time he does have he is dedicated to his family. He is an honest man and is upfront about what his intentions are from the get-go, but when he meets a certain woman on a plane, she stops him in his tracks. After a fantastic night together, she is gone when he wakes in the morning, yet Blake swears, he will never forget her.
Harper we’re returning to her adoptive family to help take care of the man who helped raise her. On a flight she meets a doctor, and they share an intense and scorching night together. They may have fallen asleep together, but as soon as Harper wakes, she is out the door. A few weeks later they come face-to-face while at work no less when all kinds of thoughts take over Harper’s head. Slowly, Harper learns that they truly are some good men left in this world.
Chemistry explodes from the get-go. Blake and Harper connect so naturally. Their attraction is undeniable. One night of passion made a lasting impression on both of them. In the not-too-distant future, the last place either one of them expected to run into each other would be at work. Both of them understand the nature of having a health field career and how important that job is. Blake is so patient and caring. Harper finds a confidence within herself just from Blake being the wonderful man that he is to her. There are two moments in this book that are so over the top in the best ways for me that truly has made my heart go pitter patter. It just goes to show that the little things truly do add up to big ones. Whether it be covering for a friend on the fly or a quick moment shared in the pouring rain. It’s undeniable that Kristen Proby knows how to make your heart swoon in all the best ways.
Coffee Books Life 