Title: Title: Night Study (Soulfinders #2)
Author: Maria V. Snyder
Publisher: Harlequin UK/ Mira Ink
From: e-ARC from Netgalley
Format: eBook, 400 pages, 26th February 2016
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Order a copy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK

Synopsis: Ever since being kidnapped from the Illiais Jungle as a child, Yelena Zaltana's has been fraught with peril. But the recent loss of her Soulfinding abilities has endangered her more than ever before. As she desperately searches for a way to reclaim her magic, her enemies are closing in, and neither Ixia nor Sitia are safe for her anymore. Especially since the growing discord between the two countries and the possibility of a war threatens everything Yelena holds dear.

Valek is determined to protect Yelena, but he's quickly running out of options. The Commander suspects that his loyalties are divided, and he's been keeping secrets from Valek...secrets that put him, Yelena and all their friends in terrible danger. As they uncover the various layers of the Commander's mysterious plans, they realize it's far more sinister that they could have ever imagined.

Review: 5 stars - Contains spoilers for the earlier books in Snyder’s Chronicles of Ixia series.

“HOLY SNOW CATS!” could there be any more action in this book? I need Dawn Study NOW!!

Night Study continues from the cliff hanger where Shadow Study finished. At the same moment of utter happiness for two of my favourite characters, I was also filled with dread at what may happen.

With loyalties on the line and the existing tension between Ixia and Sitia even more stretched, it’s down to our trusted band of beloved characters to save the day again.

Yelena and Valek set off for Ixia after hearing some news of enemy assassination, needing to update the Commander. They leave behind Leif and Devlin to investigate Owen Moon’s curare growing operation.

Upon their arrival at the Commander’s castle, Valek has a meeting with the Commander himself. Learning that he now has restricted power over the lower ranking troops and all missions must be authorised by the Commander. Something seems out of place and where there was once trust between them; the relationship between Valek and the Commander is strained.

With trust proving an issue not only with the Commander but with assassin in training Onora and with unwelcome guests in the castle, Valek finds himself torn. Does he follow his orders or his heart?

With the characters separated on their own missions; will the enemy be able to divide and conquer or can our favourite group of soldiers and magicians once again triumph over evil?

The book is told between Valek, Yelena, Janco and Leif’s points of view, this is easy to follow and it’s good to know what is going on with each character as you read through the book.

Chapter 10 caused me to do a happy dance and squeal, I won’t say why but Snyder’s fans won’t be disappointed.

Night Study is a veritable treasure trove of adventure. You never know where the characters are going to get into trouble next.

A quick mention about the characters. The awesome foursome as I call them, are like friends, not literary characters in my mind.

Words cannot describe how much I love Ari and Janco. If it was possible to bring literary characters to life, these two would be top of my list. Strong, witty and with a caring side, Ari and Janco are like big brothers to Yelena. They will do anything in their power to keep her safe even if it does have a habit of landing them in jail.

I still don’t trust Onora, but it is the skill off Snyder that does this. You want to trust Onora, because she’s lined up to take Valek’s job, but secrets from the past lead us to the conclusion that not all is as it seems.

Another brilliant book from Maria V. Snyder that will immerse you in the world of Sitia and Ixia; so much so, that you don’t want Night study to end.

I need it to be 2017 already!!!

Recommended reading if you enjoyed Sarah J. Maas and Trudi Canavan.

Title: Always Room for Cupcakes
Author: Bethany Lopez
Publisher: 143 Pages (February 2nd, 2016)
From: the Author
Format: e-ARC
Add to: Goodreads
Order a copy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK

NOTE: This is a Adult novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 18+

Synopsis: One day I was be-bopping along jamming to the music in my head while wondering if my thighs could handle grabbing a cupcake on the way home. The next thing I knew, my entire world crashed and burned.

I used to wake up at night in a sweat, crying because I’d dreamt that my husband was cheating on me, or that he hated me, and resented my kids. He’d always hold me close and tell me it was all just a dream, that he loved me and our family and that he’d never let me go.

He was a fucking liar.

Now I spend my days taking photos of scum just like him, trying to be a champion for other's being taken advantage of by the losers in our town, and my nights being a single mom to my beautiful twins.

I've got great friends who have my back, and a sexy, mysterious motorcycle man who keeps showing up when I need him. Maybe things are starting to look up, and one thing's for sure... There's always room for cupcakes.

Review: 3.5 Stars - Always Room for Cupcakes by Bethany Lopez is a fast read about a woman looking to create a new life for herself after finding her husband cheating on her. And as the story goes on we see just how much she’s willing to take on to make the best life she can for her and her two kids.

One of the things I enjoyed the most about this… I’m going to say novella because it has that feel to it, was that it has things in it that I love in stories I read. It has a touch of mystery, a bit of danger, a strong female lead and a dark mysterious man who pretty much shows up out of thin air to maybe sweep the main character – Lila – off her feet. Another thing that it has that I love is watching a character grow before your eyes. It had that and then some.

The characters are all different and play off each other extremely well. These characters are a bit of an older bunch than what I’ve been reading lately, so that was a breath of fresh air. Seeing the struggle of a single woman with kids, as she navigates her new life after her marriage and cheating husband was inspiring. How different her husband was to this mysterious man – Cade – who enters her life was perfect and helped to give this female lead a bit of a push into the growth she was on the verge of.

The story is written really well; however it felt like it was missing something. And I think this is what’s difficult when it comes to writing a novella. Trying to balance the story without readers feeling like something was missing.

I do commend Bethany for the book she’s written here. While it feels like there were parts that are missing or a tad rushed, there were others that were spot on and flowed extremely well.

I really did like these characters’ and became invested in them quickly to a point where I wish this had been a full book or maybe the start of a series of books since I wasn’t ready for it to end. And the title fits perfectly with the story, which you’ll just have to read to understand and I suggest you do because it really is a great quick story and I mean, Cupcakes, Mysterious men and danger? Yeah, go jump on it! This title is very adult for all those great adult things and oh so steamy sexy times. And if you’d ask me if I’d read more should this become a series, the answer would be HELL YES! Bring it on! I could always spend more time with Lila and Cade. I mean there’s no real question there at all.

Title: The Dirt on Ninth Grave (Charley Davidson #9)
Author: Darynda Jones
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
From: ARC from publisher
Format: ARC paperback, 326 pages, January 12th 2016
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Order a copy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK

NOTE: This is a Adult novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 18+

Synopsis: In a small village in New York lives Jane Doe, a girl with no memory of who she is or where she came from. So when she is working at a diner and slowly begins to realize she can see dead people, she's more than a little taken aback. Stranger still are the people entering her life. They seem to know things about her. Things they hide with lies and half-truths. Soon, she senses something far darker. A force that wants to cause her harm, she is sure of it. Her saving grace comes in the form of a new friend she feels she can confide in and the fry cook, a devastatingly handsome man whose smile is breathtaking and touch is scalding. He stays close, and she almost feels safe with him around.

But no one can outrun their past, and the more lies that swirl around her—even from her new and trusted friends—the more disoriented she becomes, until she is confronted by a man who claims to have been sent to kill her. Sent by the darkest force in the universe. A force that absolutely will not stop until she is dead. Thankfully, she has a Rottweiler. But that doesn't help in her quest to find her identity and recover what she's lost. That will take all her courage and a touch of the power she feels flowing like electricity through her veins. She almost feels sorry for him. The devil in blue jeans. The disarming fry cook who lies with every breath he takes. She will get to the bottom of what he knows if it kills her. Or him. Either way.

Review: 4.5 Stars - Contains spoilers for the Charley Davidson series.

Words cannot describe my excitement for this book. The newest installment in Darynda Jones urban fantasy series, The Dirt of Ninth Grave has been eagerly anticipated since I finished Eighth Grave After Dark. We were left on a cliff hanger after reading a Reyes P.O.V. chapter, and I needed to know what happened next!

At the end of eighth book, Grim Reaper Charley Davidson had almost catalyzed and over spent her powers in her grief and having to send her baby into hiding. She had a breakdown and as such her powers took her elsewhere.

In the beginning of The Dirt on Ninth Grave, Charley is going by the name Janey Doe. She found herself in the alley behind a diner with no memory of who she is or where she’s from. The only thing she knows is that it feels like she’s missing part of herself; to avid readers of the series we know this is her baby who she recently gave birth to.

When she’s rested from her ordeal, the diner owner offers her a job and finds her a place to live. Getting used to the daily grind, the customers and her surroundings while still trying to piece together who she is.

The amnesia thing Charley can almost understand, but the thing she finds weird is that she can see the departed. She doesn’t know why, she just knows she can. No one else seems to notice these things, so Charley just doesn’t mention them.

Mr Vandenberg a regular patron of the diner, is set in his ways, and treasures his shop. Charley is intrigued as to why there are strange men “working” in his antiques business across the street. Never one to stand on the sidelines, Charley decides to investigate why things are awry and we know from past experience, this is going to mean trouble. Supernatural happenings also provide intrigue and entertainment when reading Ninth Grave.

Whilst the reader is aware of the presence of Darynda Jones favourites in this book, Charley is making “new” friends in her work colleagues and patrons to the diner. But at the same time, there is the thought that some are lying, or not being entirely truthful with her. She can feel people’s emotions and unfortunately for Charley negative feelings and worry seem to cloud a lot of her conversations.

It was brilliant to see how Charley interacts with her “new” friends and how their relationships develop.

Cookie started work at the diner around a similar time to “Janey”, so they instantly connected over that. Cookie’s husband Bob is also welcoming to Janey and she feels like she’s known them forever, and she finds she trusts them easily. Cookie couldn’t try to be anything but herself if she tried, I absolutely adore her character.

Garrett, Osh, Angel, Agent Carson and Artemis also making an appearance brought a smile to my face. They’re all trying to subtly help Charley remember who she is without telling her the exact truth.

Reyes, well what can you say about the son of Satan himself. As hot as ever; but this time, he shows a slightly more intense side dare I say it than in previous books. When Charley is describing him, she thinks he hates her, because he’s always so moody and doesn’t smile when she’s about.  I think Reyes is dealing with the internal turmoil of the fact him and his wife have been separated and their baby hidden away for safe keeping.  But at the same time this needed to happen otherwise Charley would have burnt herself out.

It is great to see them flirt and rekindle their love for each other as they start a fresh. In the first few books in the series, all of the Charley and Reyes moments were as intense as they are in this book and I didn’t realize until I read it that this has actually been missing.

When you get to the end of the book and you realize what Reyes went through to pull this off, it truly shows how much he wanted Charley to come back to him.

Never one for a quiet ending, Jones throws in a few scenes with a creepy character who has been mentioned in the book, but I had forgotten about him, focusing on Charley and Reyes. I thought it was all over and she was going to leave us another cliff hanger.
I’m thankful to say she didn’t.

The Dirt on Ninth Grave is a MUST READ for any fans of the Charley Davidson series. I know Lisa is a couple of books away from reading it and I can’t wait to hear what she thinks about it.

Check out the Charley Davidson series if you’re a fan of Jeaniene Frost, Chloe Niell, Stacia Kane or Jennifer Estep.

Title: Finding Paris
Author: Joy Preble
Publisher: Balzer and Bray, 272 pages (April 21st 2015)
From: My friend and blog owner Lisa
Format: Hardback
Add to: Goodreads
Order a copy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK

Synopsis: An evocative and compelling story of two sisters who would do anything for each other—perfect for fans of Thirteen Reasons Why and Speak. Joy Preble's stirring new novel explores the lengths to which sisters go to protect each other, and the winding road that brings two strangers into each other's lives.

Sisters Leo and Paris Hollings have only ever had each other to rely on. They can't trust their mother, who hops from city to city and from guy to guy, or their gambler stepfather, who's moved them all to Las Vegas. It's just the two of them: Paris, who's always been the dreamer, and Leo, who has a real future in mind—going to Stanford, becoming a doctor, falling in love. But Leo isn't going anywhere right now, except driving around Vegas all night with her sister.

Until Paris ditches Leo at the Heartbreak Hotel Diner, where moments before they had been talking with physics student Max Sullivan. Outside, Leo finds a cryptic note from Paris—a clue. Is it some kind of game? Where is Paris, and why has she disappeared? When Leo reluctantly accepts Max's offer of help, the two find themselves following a string of clues through Vegas and beyond. But the search for the truth is not a straight line. And neither is the path to secrets Leo and Max hold inside.

Review: 2 stars - When I started this book I didn’t quite know what to expect; but I knew being set in California I needed to give it a read.

I like the general idea of the book- scavenger hunt to find Leo’s missing sister following clues around California; but admit I nearly gave up reading half way through. I have recently read Paper Towns by John Green and I thought it was going down the same route, but instead of towns it was finding tourist destinations. The thing that kept me intrigued with this book was that I didn’t know where they were going to end up next. Having visited California a few times, I needed to keep reading so I could relive my memories.

Although I knew there had to be more to this book than just a scavenger hunt, the fact that Paris wanted to save Leo by any way possible if proof of her love for her.

I wasn’t expecting the ‘reveal’ at the end, although I was slightly curious because of that person’s involvement in certain parts of the book.

Finding Paris was an easy read, however at times it just felt live you were going round in circles and as I’ve said above it wasn’t the story itself that kept me reading. The characters are likeable; I can’t however say that I was particularly attached to them.

Finding Paris was not for me sadly, but I think this could be a book that is received differently by different people, as it seems to have very mixed reviews. Passing this onto Michelle at Much Loved Books now, looking forward to hearing what she thinks of it!

Read if you enjoyed John Green’s Paper Towns, M.G. Reyes’ Emancipated, and E. Lockhart We Were Liars.

Title: Happily Ever After (The Selection #0.4, #0.5, #2.5, #2.6)
Author: Kiera Cass
Publisher: Harper Collins Children’s Books
From: Waterstones book shop
Format: paperback, 320 pages, October 8th 2015
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Order a copy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK

Synopsis: Meet Prince Maxon before he fell in love with America, and a girl named Amberly before she became queen. See the Selection through the eyes of a guard who watched his first love drift away and a girl who fell for a boy who wasn't the prince. This gorgeous collection features four novellas from the captivating world of Kiera Cass's #1 New York Times bestselling Selection series, as well as exclusive, never-before-seen bonus content.

This series companion is a must-have for any Selection fan, and includes:

The PrinceThe Guard
The Queen
The Favorite
Exclusive new scenes from The Selection, The Elite, and The One
Introductions to each novella from Kiera Cass
A map of Illéa and other illustrations
And more!

Review: 4.5 stars - I personally love novellas. They’re little snippets from your favourite series; they can be short stories to wet your appetite for a new world, new characters and adventures. When you hear that one of your favourite authors is releasing a collection of novellas from a favourite series, then you know you’re on to a winner.

Happily Ever After is just that. I fell in love with The Selection series a couple of years ago and although I have previously read The Prince, The Guard and The Queen in e-book form. There’s nothing better than reading about much loved characters in paperback.  Obviously due to these stories being novellas from The Selection series, there’s only a limited amount I  can discuss without telling all- which I will happily do off the blog!

It was fun re-reading The Guard, The Prince and The Queen because now because Cass is currently writing the 5th book in the series for publication next year and sometimes when you read, you forget things that have happened in previous books.

It’s great to hear from Aspen and Prince Maxon’s POV, to discover how much they both truly wanted America to be happy, despite other people who may stand in the way.  Amberly’s story tells of her journey from being one of the Selected when King Clarkson was Prince. And her struggle with poor health and dealing with the possibility that it might lead to her being dismissed from the palace.

I was so happy when I saw Marlee had a short story in this book. I love her and she’s like the BFF every girl wants. She’s strong but can come across as shy until you get to know her and she is someone who will fight for what she believes in including true friendship and love.

At the end of the book there is an update on what happened to the other Selected. This was an interesting read. Especially as we got to know these girls in the first 3 books in the series and then when The Heir came out, we didn’t think we’d hear from them again.

Dotted through the book are some black and white illustrations of the characters which only add to The Selection fairytale magic.

It’s no secret that I’m a Kiera Cass fan, so no surprise to e that I was going to love this book.
It’s a must read for fans of The Selection series- it nicely fills the gaps where your imagination may have once wandered.

Check out The Selection if you’re a fan of Amy Ewing’s The Jewel.

Read my review of first book in The Selection series and fall into a fairytale with a slight dystopian twist >>>here<<<

Title: Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3)
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens, 562 pages, (September 11th 2014)
From: Waterstones
Format: Paperback
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Order a copy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK

Synopsis: Consumed by guilt and rage, Celaena can't bring herself to spill blood for the King of Adarlan. She must fight back...

The Immortal Queen will help her destroy the king - for a price. But as Celaena battles with her darkest memories and her heart breaks for a love that could never last, can she fulfil the bargain and head the almighty court of Terrasen? And who will stand with her? 

Review: 5 stars - Wow!
What an action packed third instalment in the Throne of Glass series.

I will admit I’m late to the Sarah J. Maas party, and I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to really get into this series.

There can only be limited discussion about Heir of Fire. SOOOOOOO much happens in this book, and I’ll be honest I don’t know if I remembered all of it until certain storylines fell into place. We meet lots of new characters and discover through third person multiple view points, Celaena’s background, new colonies, enemies and allies.

We have always know Celaena is a strong character, determined in everything she does but Heir of Fire shows us the lengths at which she will go to.

I love the witch covens, that although they are similar, each is different. Their competitive streaks make for an exciting read. Rowan is such a complex character. I thought I had him sussed out at one point, but then it was like he had a complete personality transplant. He has the tradition warrior persona, but when he gets to know the true Celaena, he reveals more of himself and proves he can be a friend as well as a soldier. Mythical and supernatural characters are right up my street so adding witches and the fae into the mix with a kick ass heroine like Celaena and we’re onto a winner.

Seeing a softer side to Dorian was also interesting. I was a Chaol fan from the start of the series; so seeing that Dorian has a friendly personality and that he is willing to put so much into relationship is heart warming. However near the end of the book, we learn he has been betrayed by someone he loves and it nearly brought me to tears.

As I said, there’s only so much I can say without ruining Heir of Fire and the two previous books in the series. What I will say is you are kept on the edge of your seat for the whole story. There is enough action to rival the best Hollywood blockbuster. Intrigue and deception by the bucket load and characters that you can’t help but grow attached to.

A definite must read for fans of fantasy fiction writers such as Maria V. Snyder and Holly Black.

Title: Stupid Love (Stupid in Love #3)
Author: Cindy Miles
Publisher: 247 Pages (September 10th, 2015)
From: the Author
Format: eARC
Add to: Goodreads
Order a copy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK

NOTE: This is a "New Adult" novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 18+

Synopsis: Bestselling new adult author Cindy Miles is set to capture the hearts of STUPID GIRL fans again with the grand finale of the Stupid in Love series, featuring Memory and Jace.

MEMORY

Casualties.

That’s how I refer to the guys who’ve had the bad fortune to fall for me. They only see long legs that they wish were wrapped around them, a cat-like smile, and the reckless abandon to take on any wild dare. It’s all a game to me. Show me a bridge, and I’ll leap over the side. Give me a car, and I’ll race it. Give me a heart, and I’ll break it. I always win. I even showed Death who was boss a long time ago.

Or so I thought.

Now, time is running out, and I’m losing fast…and big. I met someone. Jace Beaumont. He’s smart, and good, and I dream about spending days exploring the summit of his perfect lips. But, I’m a grenade. I know I should leave him be. I can’t.

JACE

Study, class, work, repeat. That’s all I have time for. At twenty-five years old, I have a bit more mileage on me than the average college freshman. But, that’s what happens when you spend your youth drinking, partying, and bagging girls like it’s a full-time job. Now, I have goals. There’s just one kink in my plans. Her name is Memory. She’s every guy’s dream girl. She’s intoxicating. She’s trouble. I want to stay away. I can’t. 

Review: 3 Stars - Stupid Girl is the third and final book in the Stupid in Love series from author Cindy Miles. Each book centers around a new set or characters so while they can be each read as a standalone, characters from the previous books do make appearances here and there in following installments.

This title focuses on characters’ Memory and Jace. All of the characters attend the same college so the setting for parts of the book was a welcome reminder of the pervious titles. However if these two were mentioned or introduced in the two previous books I don’t recall, so they were completely new to this reader.

As for whom these two characters are, I liked Jace more than Memory, yet I liked the idea of her. I just couldn’t get a good idea as to who she was. She was such a free spirit that just when I felt I had a better idea as to who she was, what she looked like and what she wanted in her life something would happen and I’d feel like I was reading a completely different character. I don’t believe I connected with her at all. Yet with Jace, I understood him. He’s a bit older, easy going, keeping his head down to get through his first year of college. He’s not looking or interested in girls or parties, he wants to stick to his plans and when he meets Memory things become muddled for him.

One of the things I went back and forth on with this story was a serious secret that Memory was keeping. I felt she continued to set herself up for a huge fall that could have been avoided so many times over. She was frustrating to me on numerous occasions.

Even with the huge thing that Memory was dealing with the book started out slow. Now, with the previous two books I really did love them. I couldn’t get enough of them. I liked how they were written, the stories and the characters. However with this one it was often hard to continue to read and finish the book.

I’m one of those people that even if a book doesn’t work for me it’s hard to not finish it. I have to know how it all ends. And while reading I did ask myself if this was one of those books. I didn’t know, but I did understand that I didn’t enjoy this one even close to how much I did the other two installments. And while I had things that didn’t work, I really loved the Jace character and the major issue that Memory was going through. Her inner dialogue about this issue had me hurting for her one minute and frustrated the next.

With how much I loved the other two books I don’t want to put anyone off reading this series. I’d say start at the beginning and get to the great stuff and see if you like it and then go from there. I’ll be keeping an eye on this author to see what comes from her in the future. One book that didn’t work for me isn’t enough to put me off reading what they write next, as I honestly believe that not every book works for everyone.

This is without a doubt a “New Adult” title due to language and adult situations and should be taken into consideration if you happen to be sensitive to those sorts of things. I do hope you find more to like/love about this title than I did. Happy reading.

Title: Playing With Fire (Tangled in Texas #2)
Author: Alison Bliss
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC (October 26th, 2015)
From: the Publisher
Format: eARC
Add to: Goodreads
Order a copy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK

NOTE: This is a "Adult/New Adult" novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 18+

Synopsis: Nothing ignites a fire like the perfect match…

Anna Weber is every inch the proper librarian--old-fashioned, conservatively dressed right down to her tightly clipped flaming red hair. She's just moved to a small Texas town, and is determined to spend time with her friend before she has to disappear. Relationships aren't easy for her. She knows too well what it means to be burned. And the last thing she ever wants to do is fall in love…

Especially not with a fireman who's hot enough to set the entire state of Texas on fire.

Cowboy can't resist the fiery little librarian, and he's determined to make her his. Beneath that prim-and-proper exterior is a woman he very much wants to know--if she'd let him. She'll test his patience. His control. Hell, his very sanity. And for the first time, Cowboy wonders if he's found the one fire he can't control...

Review: 2 Stars - Playing With Fire is the second book in the much anticipated Tangled in Texas series from author Alison Bliss. Please be warned that there are possibly some spoilers in this review. I tend to stay away from them however in the need to explain why the book didn’t work for me there were some issues that I needed to go into detail about so spoilers could be present.

I should start by saying that this was a title that I couldn’t wait to read. I loved the first book – Rules of Protection. It was filled with laughs, a spunky female lead, hot FBI agent and a great story. So, yeah, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book to see who we were going to read about next.

Sadly the book just didn’t work for me on so many levels that I really didn’t want to write this review. It was hard to finish the book, yet I did because I kept waiting for the book to get better. I really wanted to get back to my love of the first book… I waited and waited and it just never happened.

The two characters never felt like the same character from chapter to chapter. Characters grow and change, but I couldn’t keep track of who they were from one minute to the next. I was never able to get a good grasp on them so that was the first thing that didn’t work.

Next was their relationship which felt forced. I never understood the attraction other than the crush Anna had from her teen years on Cowboy. I just felt like since she had a crush the relationship was forced and Anna was supposed to be as the synopsis says – proper, old-fashioned and conservative. That lasted for about two minutes and she switched back and forth from that and her teen self more times that I could count.

Then there’s Cowboy. I don’t even know where to start with him. He’s the guy in town every woman wants and he’s not one to settle down. He’s somewhat Alpha male, but was more angry than alpha, an d he thinks he knows Anna from somewhere yet can’t figure it out. When he finally does it’s never talked about, he just mentions a nickname of hers from the time. It was somewhat of a big deal, him figuring out how he knew her and then there was nothing talked about. Leaving it until way later on in the book where others brought it up and yet still it’s never talked about or worked out between these two.

Another thing… we never get to know Cowboys real name. And that frustrated the hell out of me. It was asked by Anna a few times over and he’d never tell her. He wants to be in a relationship with her yet won’t tell her his real name?

I felt like so much of the book was forced. There were holes and issues time and time again in the story that I couldn’t keep up with or what I felt was missing or glossed over.

It was heartbreaking in a sense of how much I was disappointed in this book. I just didn’t understand it no matter how hard I tried.

In the end, it didn’t work for me. I did finish it since it’s hard for me to not finish something and when I love a book previous in a series or from an author it makes it even hard to stop without trying to find something to love. I highly recommend the first book which was pretty amazing. They can be read as standalones… so keep that in mind while reading over this review.

So sad that this was just wasn’t for me.

Title: Cruel and Beautiful
Author: A.M. Hargrove, Terri E. Laine Publisher: (November 12th, 2015)
Add to: Goodreads

Get Cruel and Beautiful on Amazon | iBooks | Nook | Kobo 

NOTE: This is a Adult/New Adult novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 18+

Synopsis: Cate Forbes, a dedicated college student with a carefully plotted future, doesn’t know the first thing about love. When she accepts a blind date with a rumored tasty piece of eye candy, she thinks she can get by with a night of fun. Cate’s plans quickly unravel when she gets one look at the sexy…

Drew McKnight.

The relentless hockey-playing medical resident knows what he wants—a career in Oncology and Cate. Although he’s heard the gorgeous brunette is a little relationship skittish, a single night out isn’t what he has in mind. Determined to have her—in every way possible—he shows her just what a future with him would hold.

Only life has other plans. The unthinkable happens and everything begins to shatter. Both in too deep, they will have to fight the cruel and hang onto the beautiful. 

Review - 2.5/3 Stars - Cruel and Beautiful by dual author team – A.M. Hargrove and Terri E. Laine sold me hook, line and sinker with the prologue and I couldn’t wait to read and find out what this story was all about. 

So, I’m still at a loss for this review. I don’t know if I want to rate it 2.5 Stars or Three. The prologue was beyond amazing. It’s well written and had me emotionally invested in the characters and their story from just about word one. The ending was also extremely well written and fit in perfectly with the prologue that I fell in love with. It’s the middle that I had a hard time with, It felt rough and just didn’t seem cohesive for this reader with what I read in the beginning. It wasn’t until I reached the end of the book that I felt I was reading something to match that powerful statement I found in the first parts of the book.

I can only assume that writing a book with a co-writer can be difficult at times. To keep it cohesive and the characters voices on point. And I’m not sure if that’s what happened here, but it did feel to me as two people had written this. The middle was just so different. It didn’t flow as well, there were holes and well, the writing put me off. I couldn’t get over how vastly different the middle felt from the beginning and end and it’s STILL sticking with me because of how emotionally invested I became so quickly.

If it wasn’t for how emotionally invested I became so quickly I’m not sure I could have finished the book once the writing didn’t feel right. Yet I had to know. Did I skim, maybe a touch, but nothing to derail my understanding of the story.

One of the other things that I did like was how it was told in present and past tense throughout the chapters. It was spelled out at the beginning of each chapter so there was no confusion.

As mentioned above the characters had me invested from the beginning. I wanted to know their story – heartbreak and all – yet… I lost interest in the middle BUT it picked up again at the end and I became invested once more.

Gosh, I wanted to LOVE this book from beginning to end, not just the beginning and end yet it does happen. And maybe it was just me, I’m only one reader… I did shed a tear or two at the end of the book so that alone was part of why I’m leaning more to the 3 star rating.

In the end with the emotions I felt at the start and finish and the fact that there were tears that prologue was strong enough that it alone left a huge lasting impression on me that I’ll carry it with me for a long, long time to come. Would I recommend this one? Now that’s the question. I think I would, because again I’m just one reviewer. I’d say to give the prologue a try and see if it has as strong of an impact on you to make you read the book from cover to cover. It’s without a doubt an adult title for various situations so keep that in mind before reading.

ABOUT A. M. HARGROVE

One day, on her way home from work as a sales manager A. M. Hargrove realized her life was on fast forward and if she didn't do something soon, it would be too late to write that work of fiction she had been dreaming of her whole life. So she rolled down the passenger window of her fabulous (not) company car and tossed out her leather briefcase. Luckily, the pedestrian in the direct line of fire was a dodge ball pro and had über quick reflexes enabling him to avoid getting bashed in the head. Feeling a tad guilty about the near miss, A. M. made a speedy turn down a deserted side street before tossing her crummy, outdated piece-of-you-know-what laptop out the window. She breathed a liberating sigh of relief, picked up her cell phone, called her boss, and quit her job. Grinning, she made another call to her hubs and told him of her new adventure (after making sure his heart was beating properly again).

So began A. M. Hargrove's career as a Naughty and Nice Romance Author.

Her books include Adult, New Adult and Young Adult Romances, including, The Guardians of Vesturon Series (Survival, Resurrection, Determinant, reEmergent, and the novella Beginnings); Dark Waltz and Death Waltz (The Praestani Novels); The Edge Series (Edge of Disaster, Shattered Edge, and Kissing Fire); The Tragic Series (Tragically Flawed and Tragic Desires); Exquisite Betrayal; Dirty Nights: The Novel; and The Hart Brothers Novels (Freeing Her, Freeing Him, and Kestrel).

Please find her at www.amhargrove.com.

ABOUT TERRI E. LAINE

Wife and mother of three, I've always been an avid reader. In my early years, my best friend and I would tell each other stories over the phone when we were bored. We called them our "soap operas" and generally revolved around whatever boy we liked at the time.

Over five years ago, I got this crazy idea to write a novel and try to publish it. And the rest is history. This journey has been a blessing, and a dream realized. I look forward to many more memories to come.

Find more about me and social media links at www.terrielaine.com.

Title: Surviving Ice (Burying Water #4)
Author: K.A. Tucker
Publisher: Atria Books, 352 Pages (October 27th, 2015)
From:
Format:
Add to: Goodreads
Order here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK, iBooks, Kobo, IndieBound

NOTE: This is a "New Adult" novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 18+

Synopsis: The USA TODAY bestselling author of the Ten Tiny Breaths series and Burying Water—which Kirkus Reviews called “a sexy, romantic, gangster-tinged page-turner”—returns with a new novel packed with romance, plot twists, and psychological suspense.

Ivy, a talented tattoo artist who spent the early part of her twenties on the move, is finally looking for a place to call home. She thinks she might have found it in San Francisco, but all that changes when she witnesses a terrible crime. She’s ready to pack up her things yet again, when a random encounter with a stranger keeps her in the city, giving her reason to stay after all.

That is, until Ivy discovers that their encounter wasn’t random. Not at all…

Review: 4 Stars - Surviving Ice is author K.A. Tucker’s fourth title in her Burying Water series. It’s gripping, with characters that instantly draw readers in, creating a whirlwind of a plot. I for one couldn’t figure out what was going on from the start and as the story unfolded I was even further immersed in a wonderfully written book.

I’ve been reading K.A. Tucker for years. I’ve been a fan since her first series that she indie published. However the books in this series have kind of been buried on my “to-be-read” list. There was never a question if I’d love them, or even if I’d like them. She’s just one of those authors who know how to write a great story with memorable characters. This might have been the first book I’ve read in this series, but it won’t be the last. So if you ask me, this could be read as a standalone. I’m not sure if I’ve missed anything but it’s nothing that I could tell, so keep that in mind for new readers.

The story itself keeps you on the edge of your seat. You aren’t sure who’s exactly the bad guy, but you get somewhat of an idea not too far into reading. There’s an underlying plot that’s simmering just under the surface that plays a larger part to the story further on. There are shocking moments and steamy moments and lots of questions that you feel right along with the characters.

There’s character growth from beginning to end which was great to watch unfold. Speaking of characters, we have Ivy who’s a free spirited tattoo artist who has traveled, not ready to set down roots. It’s when she’s back home with her uncle that she feels she might have finally found the perfect place to stay. Just when things are going so well and she thinks she’s found her place, her world comes crashing down around her. That’s when Sebastian comes into her life.

He’s a former Navy SEAL. He’s quiet and secretive and is set out to solve an issue his current employer is having with someone in Ivy’s life. He’s there to retrieve something and deal with anyone and anything that might get in his way. He’s used to violence and isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty.

The two are like magnets’. They aren’t as different as they both think and it’s when the two spend more time together that they open up to each other, and question more than just where they are in their lives.

I wasn’t sure that I’d be able to find anything I could connect with in Ivy yet there were many things. Both characters have issues in their lives they are dealing with that make them relatable. Not the darker side, but the side where they’re people who are just trying to figure out where they belong in the world and the choices they’ve made in what they’ve done in their pasts.

I ended up loving just about everything with this book. The only reason why I’m giving it a 4 star rating was there were a few lulls while reading that took me out of the story a bit. Had it only happened maybe once I wouldn’t have even mentioned it but it did happen a few times over so it was more than memorable.

Overall, it’s a great book, extremely entertaining with a lot to give readers from beginning to end. It’s well written, even in the lulls and the characters are more than memorable. I highly recommend this title and I can’t wait to go back to the beginning and find out how these characters are intertwined. Happy reading.

Title: Pucked Up (Pucked #2)
Author: Helena Hunting
Publisher: (October 25th, 2015)
From: the Author
Format: eARC
Add to: Goodreads
Order a copy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK

NOTE: This is a "Adult/New Adult" novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 18+

Synopsis: Miller “Buck” Butterson has been banging his way through life ever since a puck to the face fixed his messed up front teeth, and he was drafted into the NHL during his first year of college. After five years of deflecting goals on the ice and scoring them with puck bunnies across the Continental US and parts of Canada, Miller is ready for a girlfriend. A real girlfriend of the non-bunny variety. One he takes on dates and doesn’t jump into bed with after five seconds of conversation.

Miller thinks he’s found that woman in his teammate’s sister. Except, unlike Alex Waters, center, team captain and all round nice guy—who happens to be dating his step-sister—Miller’s manwhore reputation is well earned, and not blown out of proportion by the media. Beyond that minor detail, Miller doesn’t know the first thing about having a girlfriend. But he’s determined to make it happen.

What he doesn’t take into account is the amount of time and effort relationships require, or that constantly letting bunnies take selfies with him to post all over social media isn’t going to win him any points in the boyfriend department. Miller learns—not so quickly—that if he wants to make Sunshine “Sunny” Waters fall for him, he going to have to do a whole lot more than show her his stick skills in the bedroom. 

Review: 4 Stars - Pucked Up is the second book from Helena Hunting in her Pucked series! If you love hockey players and the crazy hilarious woman who love them, then you’ve come to the right place! Oh how I love these books and these characters!!!

And now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, I couldn’t wait until I could get my hands on this book. After reading the first one I had tears in my eyes and my sides were hurting from laughing so much, I just couldn’t get enough. So when Miller… or Buck was up for a book, there was never a question if I was going to read it or love it, it just was and is.

Buck is Violets sister, who also happens to be engaged to one of his fellow team mates. The relationship he has with Violet is… well something that’s for sure. She over shares and has some pretty crazy idea’s but that’s what makes her, her. Buck just happens to get a huge part of his sister’s craziness.  He’s famous for finding himself in trouble, mainly trouble with the ladies, or puck bunnies. He’s got a reputation and he doesn’t mind it. It’s something that’s just happened. So when he finds somebody – Sunny – who’s worth more than a quick one night stand he’s got more than his womanizing ways to go up against. He knows nothing about relationships and has a lot he’s up against since Sunny is none other than his team mate Alex Water’s sister.

Sunny is different in her own ways. She’s more of a free spirit in her sweet, endearing way. Yet she knows more than she’d like when it comes to Buck’s past with the fairer sex. She’s not sure what to think when he makes it known that he’d like to get a chance to know her better.

Their relationship starts out slow and long distance. There’s a slow build and simmer that you can feel between the two as readers get a chance to watch what happens as they find their footing. Now, I have to say that I was a bit disappointed that this one wasn’t as funny as the last. There were some laugh out loud moments yet I didn’t have those tears in my eyes, side splitting moments that I was expecting. What I did find while reading was something totally different.

Buck, or as Violet lovingly calls him – Yeti – was nothing I was expecting to find. He’s kind, awkward, often doesn’t think and is one hundred percent confused by women when it comes to building a true relationship. Reading along as he was trying to find his feet was often entertaining and at times cringe worthy. However the hoops the poor guy had to jump through at the hands of Sunny were… frustrating.

I wanted to like Sunny a lot more than I did. I didn’t think she was fair in many of the issues she had. The two might have come from different worlds, but Buck was trying. He was honest and from the start he had nothing but good intentions when it came to changing his ways for Sunny.

In the end, I did love the story. I loved that I had a chance to love in this author’s world of Hockey players again. I loved the lines that made me laugh, I loved seeing Violet and hearing her crazy and I loved how different Buck was from what I had originally thought he’d be. That shock alone was beyond surprising and I have to say that I really loved the guy even more with how his characters actually turned out to be.

Yeah, you could read this one as a standalone, but I wouldn’t suggest it. You’ll be missing out on more than just the beginning. You’ll be missing out on some info as to who these characters are, where they come from and some of the bits and pieces of the story that began in Pucked.

If you love sports romance with a touch of over the top, look no further than the books – Pucked and Pucked Up! I’ll be counting down the days until I can read about “Balls” in Pucked Over. Helena Hunting has a fan for life in this reader. Can’t get enough!

Title: Hard Beat (Driven #7)
Author: K. Bromberg
Publisher: Signet, 400 Pages (November 3rd, 2015)
From: the Publisher
Format: eARC
Add to: Goodreads
Order a copy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK, Kobo, iBooks

NOTE: This is a "Adult/New Adult" novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 18+

Synopsis: From the New York Times bestselling author of Sweet Ache comes a blistering new novel filled with danger, secrecy, and a desire that can’t be sated…

Foreign war correspondent Tanner Thomas is addicted to living on the edge. Needing the adrenaline rush of his job to help him cope with a personal loss, he throws himself back into the game, concentrating all his energy on getting the next big story.

But when he meets his new photojournalist, Beaux Croslyn, he can’t help but feel like he’s losing his focus—and maybe risking more…

With secrets she won’t address, Beaux is far from your ordinary woman. Determined to keep her distance, she’s willing to pull Tanner in closer and hide behind the sparks flying between them. But as Beaux’s past begins to put their relationship—and their lives—at risk, Tanner’s determination to find the truth puts them both in jeopardy.

He's ready to chase her to the ends of the earth to find out if what they had was real, or if the danger surrounding them was just an exquisite heat fated to burn out…

Review: 3.5 Star - Hard Beat is the seventh book in author K. Brombergs Driven series. And while this might be part of a series this title can without a doubt be read as a standalone. So, if you haven’t read any of the previous books in the series, you are not only missing out, but have no fear, you can start here! (Rhyming in this review was just an added bonus!)

When I first started reading this series I couldn’t get enough. It’s a fact that still remains. However I find myself looking more and more for Colton and Rylee. I miss those two, so when they pop up here and there throughout the books it’s like a little hidden Easter egg. And Bromberg didn’t let me down in that respect one bit.

As I’ve read the previous books there have been certain characters who have intrigued me and one happens to be Rylee’s brother Tanner. He’s talked about and doesn’t often make an appearance in pervious installments, however when I learned what his “job” was I wanted to hear his story. When I found out Hard Beat was all about the Foreign war correspondent I couldn’t wait to find out what makes him tick.

Tanner himself is an adrenaline junkie of sorts. He likes to live as close to the edge as possible and in ways that makes him the perfect person to be in the thick of a war zone to report it. He’s not ready to give it up and settle down. He wants that rush he feels when he gets a call that something big is about to happen in the middle of the war torn desert.

It’s not until something happens to someone he loves that his life changes and makes him question things. He knows he needs to get back out there and to push through if he’s going to make a difference and make up for what he believes he failed in.

So when Beaux walks into his life there’s more than just fireworks, there’s stress, worry and disaster written all over it. However, there’s no turning back when the cards are all on the table.

Their story was kind of slow. It had great parts to it that simmered, yet this one wasn’t my favorite of all the books so far. I wanted to love it and it just kind of… felt a bit idle. Both of these characters are dealing with things they can’t or don’t want to face or talk about so the secrets are steady. It’s because of these that make the book feel like there’s a storm brewing just under the surface.

I grew frustrated beyond words with Beaux. She asked so much and gave so little. She pried and had Tanner opening up to her and then… nothing was reciprocated. I wanted there to be some kind of explanation to what the hell was going on and it wasn’t until so much later in the book that… WOW. Some shocking things came out.

And shocked I was. I couldn’t believe what I was reading and it wasn’t until almost the end of the book that I loved it. It did make up for the middle so much that… I’m still shocked what happened. Then what happened after that and then even after that I don’t think my jaw came up off of the floor for the last hour or so of the book. I haven’t had such a shock like this in a book in awhile so I have to applaud Bromberg for doing just that. WOW.

Yeah, the ending more than made the book for me. I was the book for me. It’s emotional, surprising, maddening and shocking all over again. I felt so many emotions during that last part Tanner and Beaux’s.

While this might not have been my favorite of this series, it won’t stop me from reading any future titles because there’s just so much I love about these characters and their lives. If you haven’t read any of these books yet, you should give one or all a try. If I was going to suggest where to start, I’d say at the beginning where it all started with Colton and Rylee. Enjoy!

About the Author:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author K. Bromberg writes contemporary novels that contain a mixture of sweet, emotional, a whole lot of sexy and a little bit of real. She likes to write strong heroines and damaged heroes who we love to hate and hate to love.

She’s a mixture of most of her female characters: sassy, intelligent, stubborn, reserved, outgoing, driven, emotional, strong, and wears her heart on her sleeve. All of which she displays daily with her husband and three children where they live in Southern California.

On a whim, K. Bromberg decided to try her hand at this writing thing. Since then she has written The Driven Series (Driven, Fueled, Crashed, Raced, Aced (releasing 1/11/16)), the standalone Driven Novels (Slow Burn, Sweet Ache, Hard Beat (releasing 11/3/15), and a short story titled UnRaveled. She is currently working on new projects and a few surprises for her readers.

She loves to hear from her readers so make sure you check her out on social media.

Find K. Online:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Amazon

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Title: Tough Enough (Tall, Dark, and Dangerous #2)
Author: M. Leighton
Publisher: Berkley, 336 Pages (November 3rd, 2015)
Add to: Goodreads
Order here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK

NOTE: This is a "Adult/New Adult" novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 18+

Synopsis: From the author of the New York Times bestselling Bad Boys novels comes the second book in a dark, sexy contemporary trilogy.

He’s a fighter who never loses, but is he tough enough to win her heart?

There was a time when I had everything–a wonderful family, a bright future. Love. But all that was taken away in a single night, torn from me like flesh from bone. Since then, I’ve hidden away in my second-choice job as a makeup artist. But I prefer it that way, actually. I’m comfortable in the shadows, where no one can see my scars.

Kiefer Rogan literally took my breath away the moment I met him. MMA champion-turned-actor, notorious playboy, charming to a fault—he’s everything I vowed to avoid.

But he just wouldn’t stop until I opened up and let him in. Maybe I should’ve tried harder to resist him. Maybe I shouldn’t have fallen in love with him. Because I, of all people, know that everyone has secrets. Scars. And that they’re usually ugly and painful and destructive to the people we love most.

I just never guessed that they could be deadly, too.

Review: 4.5 Stars - Author M. Leighton takes Tall, Dark and Dangerous to a whole new level in Tough Enough, the second installment in this steamy and thrilling trilogy. The story grabbed me from the first page and I was gripped right through to the end. One sign of a great book is catching myself reading too fast and having to slow down so I could savor it a bit longer. I seem to always find myself doing this with this authors books and found this title was no exception.

There’s just so much to love in Michelle’s books. I’ve been such a HUGE fan for so long that anything she writes I jump to read. She knows how to write some pretty amazing Alpha males, not to mention steamy scenes and has given fans and readers just that again with this tough fighter who never loses, Kiefer Rogan.  He’s already arrived at the top of his sport, MMA and now he’s an actor making his mark in Hollywood and in the eyes of woman everywhere. He knows just what to say and do to have women falling at his knees. Yet it’s one girl who just might make him fall to hers.

Enter in the heroin of the story. She’s fighting her own battles with her past, which bleeds everyday into her present. She’s trying to reclaim pieces of her that have long since been stolen or buried in the past. It’s just how Katie Rydale believes her life needs to remain in order to survive. She’s hiding in plain sight as she tries to keep her life quite and out of the spotlight. Looking to be the wallflower she never expected Rogan and what he brings to her life.

The things I loved about the first book in this series are so different from this one. And that’s a good, no great thing! Each book is about different men who are connected via their pasts. There’s a larger threat to the three and it’s throughout these books that we learn how their lives are interwoven and how their pasts have continued to affect their present and the lives of those around them. That’s where the dangerous part comes into things. While the last book was a bit faster paced, Rogan is a bit more laid back. He sees something he wants and goes after it. He just never saw Katie coming.

The secrets that these two carry will either bring them together or tear them apart. It’s if they can come together to help rebuild each other through their journey that’s the true question.  And the characters themselves have so many layers and depth to them that it takes forever to find out what makes them tick. Again something else I love in a good book, you have to read it to find the crumbs throughout the story to get the answers you’re looking for.

And Michelle gives readers just enough bits and pieces sprinkled throughout the story to keep you interested and intrigued and wanting to know more. For me, I fell in love with the characters and their story and hated to see it come to an end.

It’s the characters and her writing that has me continue to come back for more. I know I can always count on this author to give me just enough of everything I like to make me fall into her world she’s created and take me away from my reality. If an author can do that, I’m sold. As always I highly recommend anything and everything Michelle writes. She has a bit of everything to offer readers, so picking up anyone of her books will be a great start and have you hooked in no time. Happy Reading.

About the author: 

M. Leighton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Wild Ones and The Bad Boys romance trilogies.  She is a native of Ohio, relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she lets her mind wander to romantic settings with sexy Southern guys much like the one she married and the ones you'll find in her latest books.  When her thoughts aren't roaming in that direction, she'll be riding horses, swimming in ponds and experiencing life on a ranch, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office.

For more about M. Leighton, visit her website at www.MLeightonBooks.blogspot.com or follow her on Twitter @mleightonbooks.

Find Michelle Online:

Website/Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads