The White Lily

***5 ‘Why Are You On Your Knees?” Stars*** Ever since getting that taste of Friedrich (who will from now on be called Freddy with the blessing of the author :D) in The Red Lily I’ve been doing my best to #practicepatience (badly) for his story, and though it took me a bit to finally dive into The White Lily, I was not disappointed in any way. Even with all the tension between the royal family and those who back the Black Lily, it was a fun read filled with moments that made my heart go all kinds of wonky and twitterpated, my panties melt (and amazingly had no moments that me want to give the author the evil eye) and filled with characters I want to spend more time with and was quite disappointed when there were no more words to read. I absolutely ADORED Freddy & Brenna! Freddy may just be my favorite non-broody yet alpha AF male Ms. Cross has written to date. He’s sneaky, charming, commanding, dominate and oh my god smexy and then mix in his compassionate heart and simple kindness and you have a very lethal male on your hands. Brenna has that potent and intriguing mix of tender heart and iron will. She’s not afraid to jump into the mix and help out in whatever capacity she can, but she doesn't need to be the in the spotlight. The chemistry between Freddy and Brenna was off the charts. It was seriously in that whole my my heart all kinds of wonky and twitterpated while melting my panties off chemistry (Honestly don’t even bother with panties). Even when they were dancing around each other with their “secrets” it was hot and then when they finally come clean and get to know each other without all the baggage they are both carrying around...it’s practically perfect. There is a bit of push/pull going on, but the angst is low, and I’m definitely not mad at where they were at in the end. Part of my enjoyment of any story are well written secondary/supporting cast of characters that inhabit the world and Ms. Cross writes some amazing ones. Brenna’s children had me smiling, especially Izzy though Beatrice wasn’t far behind considering our shared hobby and Denny...Then there is Grant and the men in the Bloodguard. Let’s just say that I wouldn’t be upset at all if they all got their own HEA’s, whether it be in this series or a spin off. As for the direction the overall series arc is going, I’m really enjoying watching as everything unfolds and cannot wait to see what the next book in the series brings! ~ Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley & voluntarily reviewed ~

Brennalyn Snow, after an unexpected change in her life, became a schoolteacher and took in children, orphans of the destruction perpetrated by bloodthirsty vampires. She had met, Friedrich Volya, the Duke of Winter Hill twice, and he didn’t seem so bad, still Brennalyn joined the resistance against the nobility’s abuses. She is THE WHITE LILY, and she intends to spy on the Duke. Brennalyn was attending the Harvest ball, but she hadn’t counted on Friedrich being there, and certainly not being so attracted to him. She didn’t expect the horror that happened either! THE WHITE LILY continues the story arc from the first two instalments in this series, where we had briefly met Friedrich. Brennalyn is torn between righting wrongs committed mostly by vampires and her undeniable attraction to the charismatic and arrogant Friedrich. I wonder if I had picked the wrong day to read this book, but it was not quite was I expected until the very end. I felt that in THE WHITE LILY, there was a lot of talking and thinking, and not much doing, except for a few short bursts of action. I also found minor details a bit puzzling, such as Brennalyn’s reactions to the Duke: “Who does he think he is!”. Well, a duke… His repeatedly calling her “kitten” also got on my nerves after a while. THE WHITE LILY was also “cuter” at times than I would have liked; I kept thinking of “The Sound of Music”! I was also somewhat disappointed that Brennalyn does little more than “being a woman”, if you will forgive me; she is not quite the warrior I would have liked. The sexual tension between Brennalyn and Friedrich could have been cut with a knife and the culmination of their attraction happens under unusual – and very clever – circumstances. There are also very interesting twists on Snow White. The descriptions are sharp and delightful, and the writing is, of course, stylishly elegant. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

I am absolutely in love with this series! I remember reading the first one thinking it was going to be a simple fairytale retelling, surprised when it had paranormal content, and then pleased that it was so much more than I had ever dreamed. Now with this latest addition, I’m just plain antsy to find out how this drama is all going to end. Brennalyn is the local school teacher but on the side she’s fighting for the resistance, which was started by the Black Lily, against the vampire monarchy. Putting her talents to use, she sets herself up as the White Lily to spread the word. The only problem is the Duke of Winter Hill who keeps constantly getting in her way. Friedrich has been drawn to the allure of Brenna since the first moment he walked into the schoolhouse. He’s aware she’s been spying on him but is uncertain why and for which faction she’s doing so. If it is for his uncle, this could all go terribly wrong. When their secrets are revealed and one of her children go missing, this couple’s relationship is fast forwarded in an effort to infiltrate their enemy. There is so much heat and chemistry between Brenna and Friedrich. Each of them having sworn off love and marriage, now they only know they need one another. In the middle of a war of good against evil isn’t really the best time to fall in love. Unless you have no other choice. I loved Friedrich and his instant need of Brenna. Initially, he desires her as a bleeder and a partner to warm his bed. It doesn’t take long for him to want more from her as he recognizes her inner strength. Watching her with her children only makes him want her more. And oh man, when he interacts with the children, my heart melted. Careful ladies, it’ll make your ovaries explode! If you like your heroes possessive, protective and just plain jealous of anyone who looks at his lady, you’re gonna love Friedrich. Brennalyn was an awesome heroine. Her strength never made her reckless, stupid or too much of anything. She was perfect in her love of hearth and home as well as her beliefs of justice for the lower classes. She stands up for what she believes in and is willing to do what is necessary to save those she loves. I can’t explain how much I absolutely loved this book, this series. Each one is completely capable of standing alone. There is an overlapping plot that runs through them but even that is explained in each book without it becoming repetitive. However, I’ve fallen in love with each of these couples and I’m so anxious to get to the next one. Greedy, I know. But Ms. Cross has made me that way. This is an honest review of an advanced copy provided by NetGalley and Entangled Publishing Dual POV Safe No apparent triggers