Waiting on Wednesday (226) Rule (Rule #1) by Ellen Goodlett

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, created by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on:

Rule (Rule #1) by Ellen Goodlett

Three girls with three deadly secrets. Only one can wear the crown.

The king is dying, his heir has just been murdered, and rebellion brews in the east. But the kingdom of Kolonya and the outer Reaches has one last option before it descends into leaderless chaos.

Or rather, three unexpected options.

Zofi has spent her entire life trekking through the outer Reaches with her band of Travelers. She would do anything to protect the band, her family. But no one can ever find out how far she's already gone.

Akeylah was raised in the Eastern Reach, surrounded by whispers of rebellion and abused by her father. Desperate to escape, she makes a decision that threatens the whole kingdom.

Ren grew up in Kolonya, serving as a lady's maid and scheming her way out of the servants' chambers. But one such plot could get her hung for treason if anyone ever discovers what she's done.

When the king summons the girls, they arrive expecting arrest or even execution. Instead they learn the truth: they are his illegitimate daughters, and one must become his new heir. But someone in Kolonya knows their secrets, and that someone will stop at nothing to keep the sisters from their destiny... to rule.

Magic, mystery, and blackmail abound in this sensational and striking fantasy debut. (Blurb via Goodreads)

Expected publication: September 11, 2018

What are you waiting on?

{NA Minute Review} Rule (Marked Men) by Jay Crownover

{NA Minute Review} Rule (Marked Men) by Jay Crownover

Opposites in every way . . . except the one that matters

Shaw Landon loved Rule Archer from the moment she laid eyes on him. Rule is everything a straight--A pre-med student like Shaw shouldn’t want--and the only person she’s never tried to please. She isn’t afraid of his scary piercings and tattoos or his wild attitude. Though she knows that Rule is wrong for her, her heart just won’t listen.

To a rebel like Rule Archer, Shaw Landon is a stuck-up, perfect princess-and his dead twin brother’s girl. She lives by other people’s rules; he makes his own. He doesn’t have time for a good girl like Shaw-even if she’s the only one who can see the person he truly is.

But a short skirt, too many birthday cocktails, and spilled secrets lead to a night neither can forget. Now, Shaw and Rule have to figure out how a girl like her and a guy like him are supposed to be together without destroying their love . . . or each other. (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} Kindle Edition, 327 pages. Published December 30th 2012 by Jay Crownover Books. Source: Amazon

{Rating} 4/5 - I really liked it!

{Review} 

"At first I thought the pounding in my head was my brain trying to fight its way out of my skull after ten or so shots of Crown Royal I had downed last night, but then I realized the noise was someone storming around in my apartment." (page 1, line 1)

Rule has an exciting and steamy and emotional storyline, intriguing characters that stick with you and a hot romance. The relationship between Shaw and Rule is sweet and hot and heartbreaking and hard as they both struggle against their parents, temptations, and old habits. It also showed real true love, what it can do, what it can endure.

There was great character development, especially Rule's journey as he learns about love, trust and forgiveness. I loved the way Crownover presented tattoos and other body modifications, as a way for people to claim their own skin. I also adored the secondary characters - Rome totally stole my heart (check out my stop on the Rome book tour here on 1/6) - I'm excited to read all their stories.