ARC Review: Dark Swan (Otherworld Assassin #3) by Gena Showalter

Dark Swan

The Otherword Assassin #2.5

by Gena Showalter

*ARC received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Blurb via Goodreads:

The Alien Huntress series is back with fan favorite AIR agent Dallas Gutierrez from New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling paranormal romance author Gena Showalter, who doesn’t disappoint with this sizzling hot alpha hero.

Lilica Swan isn’t quite human or otherworlder; she is the best—and worst—of both.

She is willing to do whatever proves necessary to save her sister from the seductive and deadly Alien Investigation and Removal agent, Dallas Gutierrez, even bonding her lifeforce to his by effectively marrying him. But the bond will fade without consummation. Can Dallas resist his insatiable desire for the powerful beauty? Or will she lead to his ultimate downfall?

About the Author

Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty books in paranormal and contemporary romances, as well as young adult novels. Her series include White Rabbit Chronicles, Angels of the Dark, Otherworld Assassins, Lords of the Underworld, Alien Huntress and Intertwined.

Her novels have appeared in Cosmopolitan Magazine, and Seventeen Magazine, and have been translated all over the world. The critics have called her books "sizzling page-turners" and "utterly spellbinding stories", while Showalter herself has been called “a star on the rise”. 

Connect with Gena:   Facebook    Twitter     Goodreads     Website 

Grab Your Copy

Amazon

B&N

My Review

I was hesitant to start Dark Swan because it's been so long since I've read the others books in the Otherworld Assassin series. I'm so glad I jumped right back to it. It was so easy to just fall right back into the world that Gena created in this series. The characters are so magnetic, aggressive but charming in this... gritty sort of way. Lilica (such an awesome name) is such a well crafted, head strong character. You want her to conquer the world. Save her sister who has lost her way. She and her sisters lived one hell of a life... if you can even call it a living. Lab rats basically. Enter Dallas... sigh worthy, gritty, sexy Dallas. He lived a hellish life as well. They make an add pairing but you can't seem to get enough of them when Lilica accidentally bonds them together.

Steamy, sexy, gritty, heart-stopping.... I couldn't get enough.

I was sad that this wasn't a long, full length novel. Being a 2.5, these were two characters that I would've read a 500 page novel on just because I couldn't seem to get enough of them.

Overall Rating: 4.5 Stars
Cover Rating: 3 Stars
Plot: 5 Stars - Plenty of ups, downs, highs & lows. You cheer & you rail for and at the characters.
Climax: 5 Stars! Crazy how the power was there all along.
Ending: 5 Stars (I was so sad that it was wrapping up and ending. Pretty sure I pouted aloud as I read the last few pages.)

ARC Review: Can't Let Go (Original Heartbreakers) by Gena Showalter

Can't Let Go

The Original Heartbreakers #5

by Gena Showalter

*ARC received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Blurb via Goodreads:

With trust issues a mile long, Ryanne Wade has sworn off men.  Then Jude Laurent walks into her bar and all bets are off.  The former Army Ranger has suffered unimaginably, first being maimed in battle then losing his wife and daughters to a drunk driver. Making the brooding widower smile is priority one. Resisting him? Impossible.

To Jude, Ryanne is off limits. And yet the beautiful bartender who serves alcohol to potential motorists tempts him like no other. When a rival bar threatens her livelihood, and her life, he can’t turn away.  She triggers something in him he thought long buried, and he’s determined to protect her, whatever the cost.

As their already scorching attraction continues to heat, the damaged soldier knows he must let go of his past to hold on to his future...or risk losing the second chance he desperately needs.

About the Author

Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty books in paranormal and contemporary romances, as well as young adult novels. Her series include White Rabbit Chronicles, Angels of the Dark, Otherworld Assassins, Lords of the Underworld, Alien Huntress and Intertwined.

Her novels have appeared in Cosmopolitan Magazine, and Seventeen Magazine, and have been translated all over the world. The critics have called her books "sizzling page-turners" and "utterly spellbinding stories", while Showalter herself has been called “a star on the rise”. 

Connect with Gena:   Facebook    Twitter     Goodreads     Website 

Grab Your Copy When It Hits Shelves

Amazon

B&N

My Review

Gena Showalter knocked it out of the emotional ballpark with Can't Let Go! It has been, by far, my favorite of the Original Heartbreakers Series. Jude is the most addictive male role to date in the series (at least for me he was!) and I adored Ryanne's spunk, independent, take no crap attitude. It's hard to find lead female characters that do not annoy me at least once throughout a novel. Ryanne's constant sexual banter back and forth with Jude was absolute perfection. She was the one flame that was able to melt the ice surrounding his tattered heart. They had amazing chemistry that basically slid right off of the pages. 

The plot is fast paced with never a dull-moment. The entire cast in this series are so well-crafted that I feel like I could jump in my car, drive to this Strawberry lovin' small town, and pop in Ryanne's bar for a drink with these folks. I live in a small town but this world that Gena Showalter has crafted makes me green with envy! Everyone is so close but not of the nosey variety (mostly anyways ha). 

One of my favorite Jude moments: "Every day, in a thousand different ways, you undo me, love. You're my world." Take a moment... swoon.... Who knew Jude, the ice-cold, stone hearted, bitter soldier could rock my literary world with words? He's amazing. 

Overall, huge 5 Star read for me. Loved it! I can't wait for Brock & Lyndie's story!!!!!


Overall Rating: 5 Stars
Cover Rating: 4 Stars
Plot: 5 Stars - Plenty of ups, downs, highs & lows. You cheer & you rail for and at the characters.
Climax: 5 Stars!
Ending: 5 Stars <-- LOVED the epilogue!

ARC Review: Can't Hardly Breathe by Gena Showalter (The Original Heartbreakers Series)

Can't Hardly Breathe

The Original Heartbreakers #4

by Gena Showalter

*ARC received directly from the author in exchange for an honest review*

Blurb via Goodreads:

Bullied in high school, Dorothea Mathis's past is full of memories she'd rather forget. But there's one she can't seem to shake—her long-standing crush on former army ranger Daniel Porter. Now that the sexy bad boy has started using her inn as his personal playground, she should kick him out…but his every heated glance makes her want to join him instead.  

Daniel returned to Strawberry Valley, Oklahoma, to care for his ailing father and burn off a little steam with no strings attached. Though he craves curvy Dorothea night and day, he's as marred by his past as she is by hers. The more he desires her, the more he fears losing her.  

But every sizzling encounter leaves him desperate for more, and soon Daniel must make a choice: take a chance on love or walk away forever.

About the Author

Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty books in paranormal and contemporary romances, as well as young adult novels. Her series include White Rabbit Chronicles, Angels of the Dark, Otherworld Assassins, Lords of the Underworld, Alien Huntress and Intertwined.

Her novels have appeared in Cosmopolitan Magazine, and Seventeen Magazine, and have been translated all over the world. The critics have called her books "sizzling page-turners" and "utterly spellbinding stories", while Showalter herself has been called “a star on the rise”. 

Connect with Gena:   Facebook    Twitter     Goodreads     Website 

Grab Your Copy When It Hits Shelves

Amazon

B&N

My Review

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC Paperback copy of Can't Hardly Breathe from Gena Showalter. I've read each book in The Original Heartbreakers Series and loved them all so far. I was hoping that I would love this one but I always get a little worried when series move past three books.

I absolutely had no reason to be worried. Gena Showalter continued with this series in the best way possible. Her amazingly crafted characters were solid, emotional, relatable, broken but healing, and unforgettable. The lead female character, Dorothea (Thea), is learning to love herself after being bullied most of her life, cheated on by her ex-husband, and losing the baby she had just found out was growing inside of her. Our absolutely drool-worthy hunk of a broken war hero, Daniel Porter, is the perfect blend of masculine prowess, heart of gold, good intentioned, and natural born protector.

Dorothea knocks his socks off with her raincoat sans nothing else attempt at seduction which sets our plot in a heady, lust-filled, twisting and turning tornado which kept me glued to the pages. I didn't want the story to end. I was sad there wasn't an epilogue but absolutely thrilled with the tiny glimpse at the next couple to be featured in the Original Heartbreakers Series. I can't wait for their story!

Overall, epic story of two seeming broken souls who have to overcome their own fears and insecurities to finally be able to look towards the future and stop looking back. Huge 5 stars for me.

Overall Rating: 5 Stars
Cover Rating: 4 Stars
Plot: 5 Stars - Plenty of ups, downs, highs & lows. You cheer & you rail for and at the characters.
Climax: 5 Stars!
Ending: 5 Stars <-- Would've LOVED an epilogue.

ARC Review: Three Brothers by Nicole Williams @nwilliamsbooks

Three Brothers

by Nicole Williams

NA Romance

Publication Date: January 20, 2015

 *ARC Provided as part of the tour in exchange for an honest review*

Synopsis via Goodreads:

I grew up with three brothers. They weren’t tied to me by blood, but our connection went beyond genetics or bearing the same last name. Our connection was forged the summer I turned thirteen, the summer my mom ended her life and left me in the custody of John Armstrong, a man I’d never met. Packing all I owned in a couple of boxes, I left the familiarity of the big city and headed west to Red Mountain Ranch, set in a lonely valley outside of Jackson Hole.

Nothing was as it seemed at Red Mountain—it didn’t take long for me to figure that out. John was kind to me but distant, as if he was afraid to let anyone get too close. His three teenage sons had their own devices for keeping love as far away as they could. The eldest distracted himself with cheap relationships that had a shelf-life of one night. The middle son threw himself into the rigor of running a ranch, and the third wielded cruelty and mind-games in his quest to keep people from getting close.

Time has gone by, and I’ve spent those years trying to forget the brother I’d fallen for—the biggest mistake of my life.

Finally, I’ve moved on. Finally, I’m back. But what I didn’t realize was that running away from the wrong brother meant I’d also run away from the right one. The one who’d been there for me all along, waiting in his brother’s shadow for the day I either would or could move on.

But a decade is a long time to wait. Has the brother I should have chosen all of those years ago moved on too? Am I about to discover that my biggest mistake wasn’t falling in love with the wrong brother, but failing to return the love of the right one sooner?

Does unrequited love have an expiration date?

I’m about to find out.

Author’s Note: This book is a “sweet” romance that isn’t overly sexy. Fans of Lost & Found will be interested in Three Brothers.

Grab Your Copy:

Amazon
B&N

I'm a wife, a mom, a writer. I started writing because I loved it and I'm still writing because I love it. I write young adult because I still believe in true love, kindred spirits, and happy endings. Here's to staying young at heart *raises champagne glass* . . . care to join me?

Nicole loves hearing from her readers. You can contact her at nwilliamsbooks@gmail.com.

Connect with Nicole:   Facebook   Goodreads   Twitter    Blog 

Nicole Williams took me on an emotional roller-coaster with Three Brothers. The first few chapters left me feeling a little like I was running in a circle but once I was able to get down which brother was which, I had an easier time and just dove right into the story. And, boy, was I diving deep. I feel like I've been put through a ringer with that conclusion.

Overall, I loved this novel. Once I was comfortable with the characters, which brother was which, I fell in love with their lives, becoming engrossed with their potential outcomes.

When I hit the last hour, hour & half, of the book, I was in shambles. I was nearly hysterical because of the plot twists that hit you one by one by one, back to back.

The characters are wonderful, the plot is emotionally draining but all-consuming and addictive.

I almost feel like this could've been broken into 2 books; however, I'm so glad that the author didn't do that. I have a feeling that if it would've been broken into 2 or 3 novels, it would've become cliffhanger central.

Overall, I loved this emotional ride - it was just what I needed.

Overall rating for me: 5 Stars
Covering Rating: 4 Stars
Characters: 5 Stars <-- Really enjoyed them - reminded me a lot of the characters in the author's Lost & Found series
Plot: 5 Stars
Climax: 5 Tear Jerking Stars
Ending: 4 Stars

ARC Review & Giveaway: Fairy Godmothers, Inc. by Jenniffer Wardell

Fairy Godmother, Inc.

by Jennifer Wardell

YA - Fairy Tale - Romance
*Debut Novel*

Published April 27, 2013 by Jolly Fish Press

Paperback - 272 Pages

*ARC Print Copy Obtained Directly From Publisher In Exchange For An Honest Review*

Synopsis via Goodreads:

In a world where fairy tale situations are as much a fact of life as death and taxes, everyone knows hiring Fairy Godmothers, Inc. is the best way to assure that your beautiful daughter or enchanted frog of a grandson will get the happily-ever-after he or she deserves. Sure, sometimes a little love potion is required to make sure those quotas stay up, but what Prince Charming doesn’t know won’t hurt him.

Kate, an experienced Fairy Godmother, who’s enough of a romantic to frustrate her rigidly rule-bound boss, has just received a specialty assignment from one of the company’s board of directors. Cinderella—Rellie for short—was placed with an appropriately wicked stepfamily years before, and now needs the dress, ball, and handsome prince to complete her happily-ever-after. The fact that Rellie isn’t sure this is her dream come true—balls are fun, but princes tend to be less interesting than fluffy bunnies—isn’t something management considers a problem.

Complicating things a bit is Jon, the youngest son of the royal family, who meets Kate, and is smitten, but isn’t quite ready yet to reveal his true identity. After all, it’s his older brother Rupert who’s supposed to marry Rellie, which means pretending to be a lowly civil servant will give him the chance to spend more time with Kate. (As long as he can get the ball arranged, and stop Rupert from getting himself into trouble over his “self-actualization” business, he should have the perfect opportunity to explain everything and get started on making a little magic with the Fairy Godmother of his dreams.)

But, of course, things never ever happen as planned...

More Information on this title - Go to Jolly Fish Press

Grab Your Copy:

Barnes & Noble
Amazon

About the Author:

Jenniffer Wardell is a fantasy romance author and general fairy godmother-at-large. She's always on the lookout for witty dialogue and a well-earned happily-ever after.

Connect with the Author:
 Goodreads  Facebook    Twitter    Blog   Tumblr







My Review:

Want to know something funny? Cinderella was one of my least favorite fairy tales growing up. I never had a thing for frilly dresses & being a princess. With that being said, this spin on Cinderella was the best thing since, well, since glass slippers that don't break! LoL

I absolutely, positively adored this novel. The spin on the old fashion Cinderella tale plus the spin on Fairy Godmothers being a company that pretty much mimics Cupid - Brilliant!

I laughed so many times out loud (probably a few snort laughs in there because it was THAT funny). A few times my husband and son just looked over at me like I had lost my mind. Ha.

The characters in Fairy Godmothers, Inc draw you in because of their charm & witty since of humor and personalities. Rellie (can I say, brilliant nick name for Cinderella btw) is the opposite of what you've grown up picturing as poor, mistreated Cinderella. She's a total ditz. I loved that! She does have the wicked step family, but someone high up in command at Fairy Godmother's Inc has paid for a contract to have a Fairy Godmother set up Rellie with a Prince. Enter Rupert *giggle* - he's totally and completely the perfect match for Rellie. However, he goes MIA a few times (seems he needs to find "enlightenment" and learn how to understand big words *snort laugh*). He's a total momma's boy even though they all run and hide from their Queen. The King? Oh, he's hidden away somewhere trying to make use of the rooms his wifey never visits - he's crossing his fingers none of the staff tattle on where he's hiding.

Poor, poor Kate. Kate is the Fairy Godmother assigned to Rellie's contract. While sporting the Fairy Godmother "uniform" (see the cover image - PERFECT representation of Kate & her "uniform"), she has to try and match up Rellie & Rupert. What Kate isn't expecting: to fall for Jon (aka Prince Charming) while working this case.

Can I just say, my favorite character in the entire novel was Lawton. Anytime he entered a scene, I immediately perked up because he is entirely too entertaining for his own good. His witty personality made me adore his smart-mouth remarks & biting responses. I absolutely loved how he could command the entire scene, looking like a stiff character,  but then make you bust out laughing as soon as he throws out one of his retorts or comebacks. At first I was nervous about him - he was so severe that he seemed like a bad man in disguise, but then you come to learn that it's just the way he is.

I loved how Jennifer throws in bits of pieces of the typical fairy tale romance - a fancy ballgown here, a glass slipper there, a Fairy Godmother equipped with wings & a wand... It's such a great mix that equals such quirky fun! This was a novel that I couldn't wait to pick up every night when I got home just because the entertainment factor is so incredibly high!

I adored every single aspect of Fairy Godmothers, Inc. It was truly a fun, easy to read tale of a little mischief, a tad bit of sparkles & rabbit fur, a truckload of quirkiness, enough laugh out loud moments to keep you glued to the pages, a nail-biting shoe fitting complete with a little magic wand waving, and a little romantic swooning that was like the cherry on the top.


Overall rating: 5 Huge Stars
Cover: 5 stars! It's the perfect cover for this novel!
Characters: 5 stars!
Plot: 5 Stars
Climax: 5 Stars - talk about a shoe fitting to remember!
Ending: 5 Stars - I adored the ending & was sad to reach the last page of the novel

Giveaway!

Use the Rafflecopter below to enter for your chance to win a $25 Amazon Giftcard!!

The giveaway is live April 22nd to May 4th. Good luck everyone!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Dare You To (Pushing the Limits #2) by Katie McGarry

Dare You To

Pushing the Limits #2

by Katie McGarry

YA Contemporary Romance

Expected Publication: May 28, 2013 by Harlequin Teen

 

*ARC Copy Obtained Via NetGalley in

Exchange for an Honest Review*

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Ryan lowers his lips to my ear. "Dance with me, Beth."

"No." I whisper the reply. I hate him and I hate myself for wanting him to touch me again....

"I dare you..."

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all....

Grab Your Copy:

 

Barnes & Noble

About the Author:

KATIE MCGARRY was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings, and reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan.

Connect With Katie:   Goodreads    Website    Twitter    Facebook

My Review:

This was an emotional, heart pounding thrill ride where I felt like I crashed and was brought back again.

I totally loved Pushing The Limits - but this novel exceeded everything I assumed might happen.

Knowing that this novel was about Beth made me excited from the start. I wanted to see her back story & where her life was going to go. She was a character in book 1 that I felt bad for... she was stuck living in the basement with the guys at her Aunt's house because her mom is a total douche. Learning more about her actual situation with her mother made my heart ache. The event that pushes Beth into taking the fall for her mother was it for me. I just wanted to jump through the book, smack Beth upside the head for caring about her mother's well-being and then hug her because she, well, loved her mom too much when all her mom cared about was her POS boyfriend. Beth was stuck being the parent when her actual mom was too wasted to take care of her. She ends up going to live with Scott - her uncle who she feels deserted her years ago instead of coming back for her like he said he would. She has a tough time trusting him at all since, in her mind, he could've come back for her sooner. He can obviously provide a life for her that she never would have the opportunity for otherwise. Scott, being a professional baseball player, has a nice house, a fancy wife (who definitely doesn't get along with Beth all too well), and has high expectations for Beth to turn around her life. He sets rules for her to follow and tries to encourage her to change her life for the better. Of course, he has to hold the outcome of her mother over her head to get her to comply. She does so, not really willingly, but plots to run away and save her mom the first chance she gets.

Ryan, oh sweet Ryan. I adored him. He isn't your typical male lead character. Yes, he appears to have the perfect life - baseball star, model parents, great house, great friends, great future ahead of him.... but then when you really get the chance to see what's hidden behind the facade, you learn there's so much more. Ryan deals with his own home-life problems. His dad is a total ass-hat - trying to deviate Ryan's life with his "baseball or boot" attitude. His brother has been kicked out of the house because he came out and told his parents that he's gay. Ryan is torn between his love for his brother and following his father's commands.

The first meeting between Ryan and Beth had me cracking up. She was such a hard-ass and he was just trying to win a bet by getting her number. Totally cracked me up. In order to help out his idol, Scott, Ryan agrees to help out Scott's niece by showing her around, helping her get used to the school & town, and introducing her to friends. Boy was Ryan in for a surprise when he comes to learn that the "niece" was the one and only Beth. Ha. Loved it.

Last, but not least, I have to touch on Isaiah. He's in the picture but I can't say more because I don't want to mark this as having spoilers. ^_^ You know you love me for that. For those wondering, he's in the book... a lot. You know he loves Beth but does she love him too? He's her best friend. He's the one person that she's ALWAYS been able to count on to help her. He ends up saving her butt a few times in this novel. I love Isaiah and can't wait to see what's next from Katie!

Honestly, I could go on and on about this novel.

 I adored the characters, the drama, the struggle of opening up and leaning how to trust and let your guard down.

Great novel! Can't wait to read Isaiah's story!


Overall Rating: 4.5 Stars
Cover Rating: 4 Stars
Characters: 5 Stars
Plot: 4.5 Stars
Climax: 5 Stars
Ending: 5 Stars

ARC Review: Claim Me (Stark Trilogy #2) by J. Kenner

Claim Me

Stark Trilogy #2

by J. Kenner

Erotic Romance / Light BDSM

Expected Publication: April 23, 2013 by Batam

*ARC Ebook obtained via NetGalley in 

exchange for an honest review*

Synopsis via Goodreads:

For Damien, our obsession is a game. For me, it is fiercely, blindingly, real.

Damien Stark’s need is palpable—his need for pleasure, his need for control, his need for me. Beautiful and brilliant yet tortured at his core, he is in every way my match.

I have agreed to be his alone, and now I want him to be fully mine. I want us to possess each other beyond the sweetest edge of our ecstasy, into the deepest desires of our souls. To let the fire that burns between us consume us both.

But there are dark places within Damien that not even our wildest passion can touch. I yearn to know his secrets, yearn for him to surrender to me as I have surrendered to him. But our troubled pasts will either bind us close . . . or shatter us completely.

Release Me is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences.

  

Pre-Order Your Copy:

Barnes & Noble

About the Author:

J. Kenner spent more than ten years as a litigator in Southern California and Central Texas, using her rare free time to indulge her passion for writing. California born, she now lives—and writes—in Texas, with her husband and daughters.


Connect with the Author: Goodreads   Twitter    Facebook   Website







My Review:

Oh my, my, my.... I just can't get enough of Damien Stark.

Let me start out by saying that for most readers, you either like this type of novel (erotica with BDSM) or you don't. I like them... a lot.

With that being said, I won't go into detail about the actual erotic fun in this novel but I will say that Kenner didn't disappoint. Great scenes and high emotion throughout them.

Now, the rest of the deets...

I adore the characters in this novel. They seem to me to have more depth than other popular erotica novel characters do. If you read book 1, Release Me, and you enjoyed it, this novel doesn't disappoint. I will say that the first nearly half of the novel is a tad slow... great scenes, but as far as the plot unfolding, it's a tad slow. Now, I'm not saying I didn't enjoy the first half... but compared to the rest of the novel, it wasn't nearly as eventful.

All of a sudden, the novel seems to take off - it's one thing after another. You learn more about Damien's past, which breaks your heart even more for this man, and you also continue to see Nikki struggle with trying to keep herself from turning to cutting to ground her. Slowly, Damien begins to open up little by little but there's still so many mysteries yet to be unveiled. It leaves the reader on their toes waiting for "what's next?!"

The drama constantly had me biting my nails and wanting to jump through the novel. Nikki's mom - UG! - that woman makes me want to hurl... better yet, I want to punch her in her face! >_<

Now.... the ending.... jeewiz... I can't believe that Julie left us hanging where she does! Now don't get me wrong, the ending is perfect... but the events that are beginning to unfold! I wanted to scream at the book when I reached the last page! LoL I can't wait to see how this trilogy ends - I'm crossing my fingers that things work out the way I want them too ^_^


Overall Rating: 4 Stars
Cover Rating: 4 Stars --> ahh that scarf! Love that they used this as the cover image.
Characters: 4.5 Stars
Plot: 4 Stars
Climax: 4.5 Stars
Ending: 5 Stars

ARC Review: Breaking the Wrong (Sloan Brothers #2) by Calia Read

Breaking the Wrong

Sloan Brothers #2

by Calia Read

NA Romance / Mature

Published March 16, 2013

*ARC Ebook obtained directly from the author in exchange for an honest review*

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Emilia Wentworth would do anything for her sister.

For three years, Emilia has lived in the past, feeling her sister's pain and hating those who are to blame, including one of the Sloan brothers.

Finally, she has had enough. The only way to be free is to create a Burn List with all the people who have ever hurt her sister.

As she crosses each name off, she gets closer and closer to her final target. But, things aren't always as they seem.

Loyalties are tested.

Boundaries are crossed.

And the truth is revealed.

Grab Your Copy:

About the Author Per Her Goodreads Profile:

College seemed like too much stress for me. Traveling across the world, getting married, and having three kids seemed much more relaxing.

Yeah, I’m still waiting for the relaxing part to kick in...

I change addresses every other year. It’s not by choice but it is my reality.
While the crazies of life kept me busy, the stories in my head decided to bubble to the surface. They were dying to be told and and I was dying to tell them.

That was four years ago. Soon, the stories will be shared with you. I hope you’ll enjoy escaping to the crazy world of these characters with me!!

I'm constantly on Facebook. 'Like' me there so we can gush and talk about everything books!

Connect with the Author:   Goodreads   Website   Twitter   Facebook



My Review:

Wow!!! Amazing Continuation to Book 1 of the Sloan Brothers.  Calia made me love the character I disliked so much in book 1. I saw a whole new side to Macsen & I loved him! This story picked up after book 1 & took off in the complete opposite direction I was expecting. At the conclusion of book 1, I expected things to take off in a completely different direction so this was a great surprise. Calia brings Emilia into book 1 and towards the end, I felt like the was going to be villain with horrible motives. I was right & wrong. Per the synopsis, we know that she has a list of people she's getting revenge on. I won't go into full detail because I hate marking my reviews as containing spoilers. LoL Let's just say, she has the motive and I can't say that I blame her. Although, it takes a while for you to learn what her sister did and why, it takes you by storm when revealed. I felt horrible for Emilia. :( With that being said, it's hard to write a really detailed review. >_< I don't want to let you in on the surprises!! Okay so the plot moves steadily... I loved the ups and downs. I honestly wasn't expecting the truth that came out. I was completely taken by surprise. Nothing led me to think that this person was the one who did...well, the bad thing that they talk about throughout the book. Sorry for being vague. :) I adored the characters & I'm glad that Thayer, Seb & Chris are in this novel still. The love scenes were hottttt & I'm so glad that the V-card didn't take front & center. It was a nice change! I can't wait to see what else Calia does!!!! Overall Rating: Solid 4.5 Stars Cover Rating: 5 Stars - I love the new cover but I really liked the other version too, LoL Characters: 5 Stars Plot: 4.5 Stars Climax: 4.5 Stars Ending: 5 Stars

Review & Giveaway: Sweetest Taboo Series by Eva Marquez

Sweetest Taboo Series

by Eva Marquez

 

YA Romance / Coming of Age

Bk 1 Published October 1, 2012 by Terra-Mia Press

Bk 2 Expected Publication Date March 5, 2013 by Terra-Mia Press

 

Sweetest Taboo (Bk 1)
Synopsis via Goodreads:

Isabel Cruz was fifteen years old when she met Tom Stevens. She was 15 when they started dating, and 16 when she lost her virginity to him. By the time she turned 18 and went to college, everything had fallen apart.

This hadn’t been an ordinary love, though. Not a love between two dear friends, or even high school sweethearts. This had been the most taboo sort of love there was: a relationship between a student and her teacher. Isabel started her high school career as a normal student, but set her sights on Tom Stevens as soon as she met him, and pursued him with an intense – and sometimes reckless – fascination. When he finally approached her after swim practice and told her that he shared her feelings, it was the start of a forbidden and dangerous relationship.

Join Isabel as she makes her way through this dark love story, hiding from teachers, lying to her parents, and defying the authorities to make a life with the man she loves. Watch as she discovers the wonders of love and romance, and the terrible betrayal of jealous friends. And cry with her when she learns the hard truth about life and the people in her world.

Sweetest Taboo is inspired by the true and tragic stories of students who fall in love with their teachers, and live with the hard truths of forbidden romances. In a world full of after-school specials on sexual predators, this touching book seeks a different path, casting both student and teacher in a gentle light, and showing that true love may lie at the base of even the most illicit romance.

Tained Love (Bk 2)

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Isabel thought her life was on track – she was doing well in school, moving quickly toward her future, and deciding who she wanted to be. Best of all, she’d reunited with Tom, the love of her life. But it doesn’t take long for her history – and his – to start catching up with them, presenting a range of uncomfortable questions. Does he really love her? Are they meant to be together? And what exactly has he been doing in their time apart?

       

About the Author:

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, daughter of European immigrants, Eva Márquez has spent most of her life outside of her home country. At the age of five, Eva accompanied her parents to the United States, where the family settled permanently. After graduating from university, she went on to complete graduate studies in International Relations in Spain. Eva received her Master of International Studies degree from the University of Sydney and went on to work in the global health field in Sub Saharan Africa and South East Asia. Eva currently resides in Southern Africa.

Connect with the Author:   Goodreads    Website    Facebook    Twitter   Google +

My Review:

This is one of those controversial subjects that I tend to stay away from now that I'm an "adult" because my emotions on the subject are vastly different now vs when I was a teen. This series deals with the building relationship between a high school teacher and his 15 year old student. As a mom and an adult, I wanted to be mad at Tom for allowing himself to pursue such a relationship.... but I remember being in my teens and having a crush on that one teacher that always caught your eye... I can't help but envy Isabel for being able to have that relationship with the untouchable.

Student/teacher relationships are a very controversial subject and I worried that once I started this series I would be on edge the whole time because it would just feel wrong to read about it. However, Eva does a wonderful job of riding the fence. In book one, we read from Isabel's POV... seeing how much she really cares about Tom... Now, one can argue that she's too young to feel what she feels, she's too naive to truly understand what's going on, or she has too much pressure on her shoulders at such a young age - too much to hide and constantly looking over her shoulder because she's afraid to get caught. Now Tom, one can argue over and over again that he knew what he was doing was wrong on all levels, that he has a wife & kids at home, that she's practically a child, that he should've never acted on any of his feelings.... Eva does a great job of portraying the emotions that Isabel is feeling so we can see, as the reader, that she's honest with her feelings. Now, I did get annoyed with her over and over again because she became almost flighty... Kiss a boy on the trip, kiss her previous supervisor one afternoon... she did these things supposedly because she wanted to see if she could feel anything for any other boys and she wanted Tom to feel one ounce of the jealously that she feels because he goes home to a wife and kids each night. Rather than just talking to Tom, she acted her age and did a few stupid things. Overall though, as the reader, I felt Isabel was definitely more mature than most 15/16 year olds that I've been around.

Starting book two, you begin to read straight from Tom's POV. I absolutely loved reading from his POV because he's almost the character that you love to hate because you can't help that nagging perception that what he did was wrong but yet you see that he truly cares for and loves Isabel. Now, I won't lie and say that he's this great, trustworthy guy... because honestly, half the time, I don't know what to believe and what not to believe. He has a smooth tongue and could probably talk his way out of a plastic bag buried in cement and dropped in the ocean. LoL Reading from his POV helps to clear several things up though but as soon as you jump back to Isabel's POV, you're confused again.

In book two, things are different because Isabel is a 20 year old who's free to make her own life choices now. Technically, they don't have to hide what's going on but the rumor mill is still there and constantly haunting their every move. Can they get away from it? What will her parents think when she finally comes clean and they find out she lied to them for years and years..... lied to the cops, lied to her parents, lied to friends, lied to everyone except her best friend....Even though they're both two consenting adults, people will still talk. I actually liked book 2 better than I did book 1 - I think it's because of the insight that I gained into Tom's feelings and character....I disliked Tom more in book 1- thinking he was more of a lying creep... I started to see him more as a man head over heels in love in book 2... No matter if I thought it right or wrong. Who's to say, really & truly, what's right or wrong... Ya know?

Lots of hoops to jump through, walls to knock down, and mountains to climb... that's for sure....

Overall, I did enjoy this read even though I was torn between enjoying what was unfolding and feeling kind of like a creep for hoping for the best for a 15 year old and her teacher. LoL

Overall Series Rating: 3.5 Stars
Characters: 3.5 Stars
Plot: 5 Stars
Cover Rating: 4 Stars




Tour Giveaway!!
 Enter to win one of Five (5) Print Copies of Tainted Love with Swag Packs
Open Internationally. Use the provided Rafflecopter below!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

ARC Review: The Girl Guide by Christine Fonseca

The Girl Guide:

Finding Your Place in a 

Mixed-Up World

by Christine Fonseca

Publisher: Prufrock Press, Inc.

Expected Publication Date: April 2013

**Print ARC Obtained Directly from the Author/Publisher in exchange for an honest review**

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Finding your unique voice in a noisy world can be hard—very hard. But not if you have a great guide! The Girl Guide: Finding Your Place in a Mixed-Up World is a must-read for girls in grades 6–8 as they enter the tumultuous world of adolescence. Packed with fun worksheets and quizzes, as well as stories from older girls and women, The Girl Guide covers everything a teenage girl needs to know on the journey toward her own identity. Proven strategies for dealing with stress management, confronting relational aggression, being safe online, navigating the changing mother-daughter relationship, and more make this the ultimate guide for any girl to get through the teen years and discover her unique point of view in the world.

Pre-Order Your Copy:

About the Author:

Critically acclaimed nonfiction and YA author Christine Fonseca is dedicated to helping children of all ages find their voice in the world. Drawing on her expertise as an educational psychologist, her nonfiction titles address issues of emotional intensity, resiliency and giftedness. In fiction, she explores the darker aspects of humanity and delivers gothic thrillers that take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. In life, she teaches her own children to embrace their unique talents and find their voice by being a force of positive change in the world. When she’s not writing or developing programs to support children with exceptional needs, she can be found spending time with her family, sipping too many skinny vanilla lattes at her favorite coffee house or playing around on Facebook and Twitter.

Connect with the Author:   Website   Goodreads   Twitter

My Review:

Wow. This could be such a great tool for young girls if used the way it's meant to be used. I grew up on "Chicken Soup For the ____ Soul" books... This is kinda that "type" of book but more modern, and to me, more useful. I tried to put myself in the place of my 14 year old niece while I was reading and thinking about this book. (I almost want to call it a workbook because it's not just a plain book LOL). It's modern and so incredibly useful when it comes to really thinking about who you are and what you want from life, how to make the best decisions, how to come to your own conclusions, understanding your emotions, looking at things from a different perspective... There's even a chapter about bullying.

I really liked the approach that Christine takes with the worksheets and activities. She didn't take the perspective of an author/adult telling the teen how it is but yet, she took the approach of giving the teen the tools necessary to help figure it out on their own and make their own judgment. It's easier to relate to this way and will be more accepted. No one likes to be ordered around or flat out told what to do.

My favorite chapter was Ch 15 - Living in the Digital Age. I honestly used this tool for my own current life... Wow. Talk about insight. >_<

This book is something that can coincide with or even take the place of a journal... It would be so great to use alongside of a journal... Do people still keep journals? I know I did for YEARS because it truly was the best way to work through feelings and emotions...I can see this type of book being a useful tool for use in various youth programs or even juvenile facilities.

Overall - LOVED IT!

Great Job Christine!!!! I can't wait until this novel is out for sale because I want to get a copy for my Niece for sure! 

ARC Review: Pitch Green by The Brothers Washburn

Pitch Green

Dimensions in Death #1

by The Brothers Washburn

YA Horror/Suspense

Published by Jolly Fish Press, LLC

310 Pages

Publication Date: 3/16/2013

*Advance Uncorrected Galley obtained

directly from Jolly Fish Press in exchange for an honest review*

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Two teenagers try to discover why children in their little town keep disappearing, only to uncover an evil presence lurking in a old mansion that will kill them if they cannot discover its secrets. Trona is a small, smoggy, mostly insignificant town in California. Besides a booming chemical plant, the only thing that characterizes this dismal town is dirt, sagebrush, and an enormous abandoned mansion.

The mansion is, admittedly, the only notable addition to Trona, but it’s something everyone tries to avoid due to its creepy facade. Everyone except for Camm Smith, who is obsessed with the need to get inside. Seven years earlier, as Camm herded a pack of little trick-or-treaters past the mansion, her young neighbor, Hughie, disappeared, becoming one of the many children who have vanished from Trona over the years without a trace. Now a senior in high school, Camm is still haunted by the old tragedy, and is sure the answer to the mysterious disappearances lies hidden somewhere in the decaying mansion.

Joining forces with her best friend, Cal, who also happens to be Hughie’s older brother, Camm naively begins a perilous search for the truth. As things spiral quickly out of control, and others die, Camm and Cal discover it will take all their combined ingenuity to stay alive. An unseen evil lurking deep within the bowels of the mansion is now hunting them. To make matters worse, they become entangled with hostile federal agents, who will do all they can to keep old secrets permanently hidden.

Left with only their wit and seemingly ineffective firearms, Camm and Cal know time is running out. Unless they can make sense of the few pieces of the puzzle they manage to unearth, their lives are in danger, and like so many others before them, they may also disappear without a trace.

Add It To Your TBR Shelf NOW!

About the Authors:

Berk and Andy Washburn, aka "The Brothers Washburn," are both lawyers by profession, writers at heart. They grew up together roaming the wastelands of the Mojave Desert, where most of the series is set. Both brothers returned from lengthy and successful careers in the wastelands of the law to write YA horror stories based on the wastelands of their youth. They currently live north of Denver, Colorado. The Dimensions in Death series is merely the beginning of the ingenious and spine-tingling world of the Brothers Washburn. Be on your guard, people, there is a new Grimm in town.

Blog      Facebook       Twitter





My Review:

Wwwwoooowwww! I could NOT put this book down! Thanks Brothers Washburn for allowing me the chance to review an AUG of Pitch Green. I literally just sat and read through the entire novel this afternoon. I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! Yes, Yes... I had several things I should've been doing - like dishes, laundry, and cleaning up around the house... but those things can wait...

I haven't read a horror novel that grabbed me like Pitch Green since I read Dreamcatcher by Stephen King! It's like Rose Red meets Dreamcatcher - a creepy, huge mansion plus an unexplainable "creature" thing that the government tries to cover up. >_<

I LOVED this book. There are several scenes (especially Hughie & Ginger) that left me cringing in horror... I honestly thought I wouldn't be able to finish it after that because those issues hit too close to real life. I pushed through them because I needed to know what happened & how it ended.

Pitch Green is full of not only horror but a mystery aspect that leaves you glued to the pages. The characters are amazing. They aren't over the top. They're NORMAL - like these people could be my neighbors (if I lived in a creepy little town in the middle of the desert that is).

I honestly can't think of one thing that could've been done differently.

There are several questions that have left to be answered at the end BUT those are like tid-bits that you are just curious about - not MAJOR things that you must know in order to feel like the story ended. I can't wait to see what The Brothers Washburn come up with next in their Dimensions in Death series.


Overall Rating: HUGE 5 Stars!

Cover Rating: 5 Stars - this is such a great interpretation of the story! (I'm so glad it wasn't a big picture of "It")

Characters: 5 Stars
Plot: 5 Stars
Climax: Which one?!? There were so many moments where I thought my heart would pop out of my chest... but okay, the BIG moment - definitely 4.5 stars! I was chewing my poor fingernails to death!
Ending: 4.5 Stars

ARC Review: A Natural History of Dragons: A Memior of Lady Trent by Marie Brennan

A Natural History of Dragons:

A Memior by Lady Trent

by Marie Brennan

Published 2/5/13 by Tor Books

*ARC Provided for Review via NetGalley*

Synopsis via Goodreads:

You, dear reader, continue at your own risk. It is not for the faint of heart—no more so than the study of dragons itself. But such study offers rewards beyond compare: to stand in a dragon’s presence, even for the briefest of moments—even at the risk of one’s life—is a delight that, once experienced, can never be forgotten. . . .

All the world, from Scirland to the farthest reaches of Eriga, know Isabella, Lady Trent, to be the world’s preeminent dragon naturalist. She is the remarkable woman who brought the study of dragons out of the misty shadows of myth and misunderstanding into the clear light of modern science. But before she became the illustrious figure we know today, there was a bookish young woman whose passion for learning, natural history, and, yes, dragons defied the stifling conventions of her day.

Here at last, in her own words, is the true story of a pioneering spirit who risked her reputation, her prospects, and her fragile flesh and bone to satisfy her scientific curiosity; of how she sought true love and happiness despite her lamentable eccentricities; and of her thrilling expedition to the perilous mountains of Vystrana, where she made the first of many historic discoveries that would change the world forever.

Marie Brennan introduces an enchanting new world in A Natural History of Dragons.

Grab Your Copy:

My Review:

I'm not quite sure where to go with this review. I'll start by saying that if you enjoy reading novels with a writing style similar to Jane Austin's or enjoy the popular tv show Downton Abbey, then this would be for you. I have had a fascination with dragons since I was younger but the time period that this novel is set in bores me to tears. I'm not one for the classical style of writing either - I guess being forced to read them in school ruined me.

Marie Brennan does an amazing job sticking with the time period and the writing is absolutely beautiful. Her creativity is absolutely amazing too.

The artwork in the novel is hands down some of the best with regards to other dragon depictions that I've come across. Stunning! I would love to have the print version of this novel on my shelf simply so I had the artwork.

Now the plot... It's very slow - but this may just be my reflection because of the writing style & the period in time where this novel is based. Lady Trent is quite quirky so she does keep you entertained here and there - for instance: when she decides to examine the dead dragon in the yard at her house and is caught.

All of the referencing to dragons is great - honestly, I thought there would be more dragon & less of Lady Trent's day to day oddities. I guess that's another thing that turned me off with regards to this book. I enjoyed reading about Lady Trent's growing fascination with dragons but all of the in-between bored me.

Overall, I'd give this novel a 3.

I'd like to give it a higher rating simply based on how beautiful the author's writing style is & her creativity -  but overall, I just can't - it's mainly because this book just ended up not being for me.

Cover Rating & Imagery Rating: a huge 5 stars! It's really stunning artwork. Loved it.

ARC Review: Platinum by Jeffe Kennedy

Platinum

by Jeffe Kennedy

Adult Erotica / Light BDSM

Expected Publication Date - Feb 25, 2013

Published by Carina Press

 

*ARC obtained via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review*

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Althea Grant's Charleston gallery might be suffering from the bad economy, and her artistic aspirations have gone nowhere, but she's doing just fine, thank you. When bad-boy sculptor Steel rides up on his motorcycle looking to rent studio space, his infusion of cash is more than welcome. But his art is raw, visceral, sexual—and completely inappropriate for her pastel world of watercolor landscapes.

Steel, fascinated by Althea's rare albino coloring, sees in her the key to his next piece: a metal satyr designed for bondage games. Moving into her gallery basement is the first step; seducing the cool Southern belle into modeling for him is the second.

As Steel peels away her careful manners and tasteful outfits, Althea begins to realize her life isn't just fine at all—it's as pale and washed-out as the watercolor paintings she's failing to sell. Can she transform her life and accept her most secret desires?

Pre-Order Your Copy:

 

 

About the Author:

Jeffe took the crooked road to writing, stopping off at neurobiology, religious studies and environmental consulting before her creative writing began appearing in places like Redbook, Puerto del Sol, Wyoming Wildlife, Under the Sun and Aeon. An erotic novella, Petals and Thorns, came out under her pen name of Jennifer Paris in 2010, heralding yet another branch of her path, into erotica and romantic fantasy fiction. Since then, an erotic short, Feeding the Vampire, and another erotic novella, Sapphire, have hit the shelves. Her contemporary fantasy novel, Rogue’s Pawn, will be published in July, 2012. Jeffe lives in Santa Fe, with two Maine coon cats, a border collie, plentiful free-range lizards and frequently serves as a guinea pig for an acupuncturist-in-training.

 

Connect with the Author:

Website      Goodreads      Twitter     

My Review:

I enjoyed this quick, hot read. It was a journey of finding and accepting one’s self and true personality.

The characters seemed more like real people rather than our fantasy/dream/billionaire characters we've grown to love & fantasize about. Okay - yea so Steel is totally my hot biker fantasy but not my billionaire CEO fantasy type. LoL

You have Althea - owner of her own art gallery that's doing quite poorly, family who obviously has money but raised her to be a "proper young lady" who follows all of society's rules. She never steps out of line. She holds herself as a completely poised, elegant woman who appears smooth as glass on the outside. She's obviously has no idea who she really is deep down - she's who she was raised to be. Due to her complexion & hair color (albino), she always wears pastel colored clothes and light colored makeup. Enter Steel - hot, rough around the edges biker, sexy, tattoos, nipple ring, and did I mention he is a completely brilliant artist. And a total Dom.

The way that Steel owns his life choices and is completely comfortable with himself is very appealing. He obviously had a not-so-great life when he was younger but with help from social workers, etc., he puts his emotions out there through his art. He's able to slowly guide Althea into realizing HER true nature & feelings. He helps her understand that it's perfectly acceptable to NOT be who everyone expects you to be. Live the way you want to live. Think the way you want to think. Throw "Society's rules" to the wind I guess I should say. He opens her eyes to primal, sexual urges in human nature. Althea has a hard time accepting it because it goes against everything that she's ever been told was proper.

Overall, great hot read of self-exploration & acceptance. I really enjoyed it. It only took a few hours to read but I didn't really feel like it was too short. This story is focused on Althea's self-exploration so it doesn't delve into the other character's reasons for why they are who they are. You only get a few glimpses but it works. You're constantly drawn back to Althea.

 

Overall Rating: 4 Stars

Cover Rating: 4.5 Stars - It really is beautiful

Characters: 5 Stars

Plot: 4 Stars

Climax: 4 Stars - Loved the charity ball

Ending: 4 Stars - I'm very happy with the ending