B is for Briarwood

This year I’m taking a break from Faerie and doing an A to Z of my TBR (to be read) list instead. Each letter will have books starting with that letter on my list, a book I’ve read and reviewed (with the review!) and one of my books matching the letter with a link about more info about the book. I’ve decided not to include words like “A”, “The” and “An” during this challenge.

My TBR

About the Book I’ve Read

BRAND NEW reverse harem series laced with Celtic mythology, gothic mystery, and four gorgeous guys, all served up with lashings of British wit.

Maeve Crawford has her life mathematically calculated down to the last detail; Leave her podunk Arizona town, graduate MIT, get into the space program, be the first woman on Mars, read lots of books, get a cat (not necessarily in this order).

All Maeve’s careful plans come crashing down when her parents are killed in a freak accident, and she discovers she’s inherited a real, honest-to-goodness English castle – complete with turrets, ramparts, and four gorgeous male tenants.

Corbin – the protector wallowing in guilt
Arthur – the warrior tired of fighting
Flynn – the trickster with an artist’s soul
Rowan – the enigma whose scars run deep

As soon as Maeve enters Briarwood, she’s drawn to Corbin, Arthur, Flynn and Rowan – four beautiful boys drenched in grief, hope, and ancient magic. Maeve needs them all to heal her broken heart, and they need her to help them protect the world from the fae host baying at the castle gates.

Dark forces converge on Briarwood castle, and Maeve Crawford – science geek, scarred soul, lover of four remarkable men – must draw from herself a power she never imagined in order to protect the shattered remains of her life.

The Castle of Earth and Embers is the first in a brand new steamy reverse harem romance by USA Today bestselling author, Steffanie Holmes. This full-length book glitters with love, heartache, hope, grief, dark magic, fairy trickery, steamy scenes, British slang, meat pies, second chances, and the healing powers of a good cup of tea. Read on only if you believe one just isn’t enough.

Check it out on Goodreads.

Five beautiful witches … one painful choice.

Now that the secrets of Maeve’s past have been revealed, she begins to embrace her newfound powers. Being a witch and a science geek makes her head hurt at times, but luckily she’s got Corbin, Arthur, Flynn, Rowan, and Blake to awaken her powers and tend her broken heart.

The only way the coven will be strong enough to battle the fae is if Maeve chooses a consort. But how can she choose when each of the guys need and want her? How can she accept only one when they all fill the empty void inside her?

Maeve is still reeling from the death of her parents when another tragedy strikes. This time, she must face her grief head on, and find strength in her bond with her five broken witches to battle an impossible foe.

The Castle of Fire and Fable is the second in a brand new steamy reverse harem romance series by USA Today bestselling author, Steffanie Holmes. This full-length book glitters with love, heartache, hope, grief, dark magic, fairy trickery, steamy scenes, British slang, meat pies, second chances, and the healing powers of a good cup of tea. Read on only if you believe one just isn’t enough.

Check it out on Goodreads.

Severed hands, moving paintings and an erotic encounter in a priest hole, just another typical day for Maeve Crawford at Briarwood Castle.

With Maeve’s sister Kelly on her way from America and the fae threat looming ever closer, things at Briarwood are more desperate than ever. When the coven discover an old portrait of Maeve’s mother might hold a valuable clue to help them defeat the fae host, they travel to London to uncover its secrets.

Under the bright city lights. Maeve discovers more about the mysterious origins of her powers, and one by one her guys open up about the dark parts of themselves they’ve kept hidden. In this most desperate of times, every member of the Briarwood coven must confront their own demons in order to unleash the full potential of their magic.

The Castle of Water and Woe is the third in a brand new steamy reverse harem romance series by USA Today bestselling author Steffanie Holmes. This full-length book glitters with love, heartache, hope, grief, dark magic, fairy trickery, steamy scenes, British slang, meat pies, second chances, and the healing powers of a good cup of tea. Read on only if you believe one just isn’t enough.

Note: This book contains characters who struggle with issues that may be sensitive to some readers, including self-harm, suicide, sexual assault, and unsafe drug use.

Check it out on Goodreads.

Now she’s returned from the dead, Maeve’s mother reveals the secret of how she defeated the fae twenty-one years ago. That secret will cost Maeve more than she could ever imagine.

Briarwood is no longer safe. The castle walls have been breached, and the coven’s enemies batter at their doors. The coven have two options left – surrender, or die.

Maeve Moore doesn’t do ultimatums, not when she’s got five powerful men, an ancient witch, a prostitute with a heart of gold, a faithful sister, and the ghost of her dead mother on her side. Plus, her ancient castle still has a few tricks left to reveal.

If the fae want Briarwood, they’ll have to come and take it.

The Castle of Wind and Whispers is the fourth in a brand new steamy reverse harem romance series by USA Today bestselling author Steffanie Holmes. This full-length book glitters with love, heartache, hope, grief, dark magic, fairy trickery, steamy scenes, British slang, meat pies, second chances, and the healing powers of a good cup of tea. Read on only if you believe one just isn’t enough.

Check it out on Goodreads.

When one of her own is cruelly taken, Maeve Moore must unite witches and humans for a final stand against an undefeatable army of the dead.

In an epic showdown of fae versus witches, hopes versus desire, death versus immortality, and science versus magic, Maeve will sacrifice everything for the love of five remarkable men. Is it enough to stop the fae?

The Castle of Spirit and Sorrow is the chilling finale to the Briarwood Reverse Harem series by USA Today bestselling author Steffanie Holmes. This full-length book glitters with love, heartache, hope, grief, dark magic, fairy trickery, steamy scenes, British slang, meat pies, second chances, and the healing powers of a good cup of tea. Read on only if you believe one just isn’t enough.

Note: This book contains characters who struggle with issues that may be sensitive to some readers, including self-harm and suicide.

Check it out on Goodreads.

Two years before Maeve makes her way to Briarwood Castle, Flynn comes to her school in Arizona. His mission is simple – watch over Maeve from a distance and make sure the fae don’t make any moves against her before she comes into her power. The rules are even simpler – don’t interfere, don’t get close to her, don’t fall in love.

But we all know Flynn doesn’t play by the rules.

Don’t miss this prequel story from the smash-hit Briarwood Reverse Harem series by USA Today bestselling author Steffanie Holmes. If you haven’t yet read the first book, The Castle of Earth and Embers, you can grab it today.

Check it out on Goodreads.

My Review

The Castle of Earth and Embers

So much fun to read! I loved the use of folklore (fae and witches) and how sex is used not just to fuel Maeve’s magic but also to bond them all. Who wouldn’t want a harem of gorgeous guys – especially the ones living in Briarwood House? A great introduction to reverse harem.

The twist of witches against fae, Seelie only eating fruit and veg while Unseelie gorge themselves on meat covered in fruity sauces, the types of magic (elemental: fire, wind, water, earth, spirit) wielded by the witces, how Maeve is even more powerful than they thought – excellent twist at the end as to why! – and what fuels her magic all makes for a terrific story.

The Castle of Fire and Fable

A lot more steamy than the first book, if that’s even possible. More twists with fae magic and what they’re up against with an exciting cliffhanger ending.

Maeve comes up against fundamentalists who use religion as an excuse to persecute anyone different. Her own religious upbringing is in stark contrast: her parents were loving, tolerant people who accepted her just as she was. Arthur explains it brilliantly when he says that she kept the best parts of religion while the people who hate and fear her (and some others in the book) have forgotten what religion (specifically Christianity) is all about.

I like how there are layers to this book and that even the sex scenes further plot and character growth.

The Castle of Water and woe

What a twist ending!

I liked that most everyone had a healing moment during their journey to London, Oxford and other places.

Kelly being there and being so bratty in the face of all the things Maeve has to do, made me want to throttle her a bit.

I really want to know what secrets the Soho coven collect and what they know about the fae.

Minus one star for excessive swearing and blasphemy (they even have sex in a church).

The Castle of Wind and Whispers

Aline is the most selfish, self-involved witch ever. I would’ve locked her up in a dungeon until proven trustworthy.

Of course infusing art with magic was going to backfire. I wonder if the Soho coven knew this all along…

As for Maeve: trusting Aline and the fae. What was she thinking? The first thing learned in this magical world: fae lie.

And now the vision is going to come true… Now I have to read the next book. Immediately.

The Castle of Spirit and Sorrow

A thrilling adventure. And who’d have thought self-centred Aline could save the day (in her own way)?

Corbin’s parents finally woke up from their stupidity. Rowan gets the professional help he needs. The brainiacs save the world with science – who knew? And the secrets of the Soho coven actually turns out to be helpful. Even Arthur realises that cutting himself isn’t the answer.

Some interesting magic throughout. I most enjoyed the scene with the Slaugh.

A steamy reverse harem series with a solid storyline.

The Summer Court

Knowing Flynn, I heard his voice as he narrated his part in the story. Knowing Carrie, I knew what to expect at the dance. No deaths, though. Unless a few social deaths count…

A cute short story about younger Flynn and Maeve.

My Book

Breaking the Habit

I hope you enjoyed this. For more books I’ve read and reviewed, check out either my Pinterest board about reviews or my Goodreads profile. Alternatively, you can check out my reviews on BookBub. Have you read any of the books? Loved or hated any of them?

*FYI, my reviews are my honest opinion and if something bothers me, I tell it straight. How else will anything change? My opinions are based on being a voracious reader and book buyer, not an attack on the author.*