Review: The Palace of Steel

Book  Blurb

The coup stole her family. The prison forged her identity. The desert built her army. Now Princess Maeve Moran stands at the edge of her destiny, claiming the Steel Citadel itself.

Haunted by bloodshed and betrayed by the very ones she thought she knew best, Maeve is forced to choose between vengeance and ruin. The truth of her lineage runs darker than she ever imagined, built on centuries of lies, magic, and death. To seize her throne, she must confront not only the tyranny of the usurper king, but the monstrous legacy of the first Moran.

As alliances crumble and the enemy closes in, Maeve's path to the throne demands sacrifices she might not have the strength to make. The hunt for retribution could cost her everything, and everyone.

In a kingdom forged of blood and iron, Maeve must will she become the queen her people need, or the monster they fear most?

Contains mature themes.

Review

This is book 3 in the series. You will have to read them in order. This book had me all over the place. It started out so good. The story picks up right where book two ends. The Leader's group of revolutionaries are still looking for information and ways to bring down the usurper King. But then about half way through I was starting to think I was wrong.
Maeve just got so whiny and defiant. Eoghan was trying so hard to make her happy. He wanted to do everything for her. Maeve honestly got so annoying, I wanted to kick her. Maybe someone should have. Eoghan must have a big heart because although he got mad at her, he continues to give her grace and love her.

We see lots of action in this one. Dragons. Other parts of the kingdom. I suspect some subterfuge by multiple sources. And so the second half of the book, although filled with information and lots of action, was just meh for me because of Maeve. I despised her so much for most of the last half of the book, that I considered a 3.5 for my rating.

But wait! Keep reading! No spoilers! The epilogue knocked me sideways. All kinds of lightbulbs went on. Did not even consider that cliffhanger as a possibility as I was reading. Thinking back to what I read, there were a few seeds maybe that hinted that way. I see where this is going--I think. I could be wrong and this is fine too. I am so much team Eoghan in this saga. He is a good man through and through and I can't wait for him to save the day and Maeve's heart!

Waiting patiently for Book 4! I need all the answers ASAP!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

About  the  Author 

Whitney Welsh Gibbs is a storyteller at heart, with a love for history and a curiosity for discovering new worlds—both real and imagined. She grew up on California’s Central Coast, where the fog-draped mornings and salty sea air helped spark the imagination that fuels her writing today.
She holds a Master’s in Intelligence and Security Studies from the University of Leicester and honed her craft through a blend of academic work and years of creative writing. Whitney has self-published three novels—Lucas Taite and the Mysterious Armor of God, Broken Anchors, and Lucas Taite and the Mountain of Örlög—each one earning praise and a growing base of loyal readers.

Her latest series, The Steel Citadel, published by Azala Press, brings together her love of layered plots, complex characters, and rich, magical worlds.

When she’s not writing, Whitney can usually be found reading, exploring new places, or catching up with friends—often gathering sparks of inspiration along the way. She currently lives in Burbank, California.

You can find her on Instagram and TikTok, where she shares behind-the-scenes looks at her writing life and upcoming projects.

Release Blitz & Review: Kiss Me Forever

 

Blurb:Falling for your enemy is bad. Falling for the man you only call your enemy is worse. Reece Fox is a decade older than me but I’m his boss. And if the man growls at me one more time, he’s going to learn the true meaning of the Montgomery temper. Yet I can’t stop thinking of him. After losing my fiancé, I’ve sworn off men, but when Reece does the one thing I never thought he’d do—ask for help—I can’t walk away. Brooklyn Montgomery is too young for me. She’s not only my boss, but my friend’s family. The definition of forbidden. We both know this. But I can’t keep my hands off of her. When we finally give into the heat between us, there’s no going back. Only when a little girl shows up at our work, she changes our world completely with one word: Dad. Kiss Me Forever is an age gap, workplace, surprise single dad contemporary romance featuring Brooklyn and Reece. Each book can be read as a complete standalone. An HEA is guaranteed! BUY NOW!  All Editions Review Readers of this author have been following along in the Montgomery Legacy series. You will love all the family dynamics if you start from the beginning, but you can very easily read this as a stand alone. Tis is Brooklyn Montgomery's story. I love a good single parent trope and this on comes as a surprise as well! Reece Fox works for the Montgomery construction. Technically, Brooklyn isn't his direct boss but she is owner in the company. Neither of them are looking for a relationship. But when Reece finds our he has a pre-teen daughter, Brooklyn is more than happy to help him out. Eventually, their long held attraction comes to a head. No one in either family is surprised or concerned. Lots of family antics and banter in this one. The Fox brothers my need their own series coming up....hint....hint. Great addition to the series. Great to see Brooklyn's brothers again, too. I always look forward to more from this author. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Release Blitz: xoxo Summer

Blurb:

I can’t decide if my new summer tenant—a devastatingly handsome hockey player and single
dad—is the answer to my problems or the start of a new one.

When big-city developers threaten to buy up my small town, I need to save the rental cottage
next door from demolition. I have a plan . . . until Daniel Sutton checks in.

Six-four, a face chiseled by the gods, and a body built by a career on the ice, I’m knocked
sideways. He’s charming with me and adorable with his son. And when we touch, it’s electric.

But two things change everything. The pipes break in the cottage, and his agent calls. Before I
can stop myself, I’m offering him a place to stay, and Daniel is offering me the answer to my
problems. He’ll buy the cottage for me if I help him clean up his reputation.

Sounds simple enough. But when I start to fall in love with him, even though I know he’s leaving
in a few months, it’s suddenly more complicated than ever.

I’m willing to take a chance on us and pour my heart into a letter. But with him skating on thin
ice, he’s going to have to sacrifice something—me or his career.

I just hope XOXO, Summer isn’t the last thing I ever say to him.

Buy Link:

https://geni.us/XOXOAm

Available in KU

About  the Author

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, S.L. Scott, writes character driven, heart-racing
suspense, and swoony romances that will leave you glued to the page. With stories ranging from witty
beach reads to heart wrenching and heart healing, her stories are highly regarded as emotional,
relatable, and captivating.

Her books are more than escapes for the voracious readers of today. They are journeys of the heart
that always come with a happily ever after reward at the end.

For more information, visit her website and sign up for her newsletter. She also loves to connect with
readers on social media.
Connect with S.L. Scott:
https://linktr.ee/s.l.scott