Review: Reborn (Wanderers #2) by Jessica Miller

Reborn

Wanderers #2

by Jessica Miller

YA PNR

Published October 25, 2013

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

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Ella finally knows what she is, but now she’s not so sure she knows who she is.

With Jack still on the loose her parents have her confined to the house leaving Ella to feel like she’s stuck in a prison. Coping with the loss of her best friend and the love of her life, Ella feels trapped in an endless cycle of torment. She feels she’s doomed to lose everyone she loves. In attempt to keep her safe and help her understand her new life her parents decide that what’s best for her is to go back to school, but not just any school.

Ella’s not alone though. The school is filled with students who are just like her, including her brother Dean. Her mission is to keep herself blended in the background and out of trouble, but unfortunately Ella isn’t that lucky. With the roommate from hell, her brother constantly breathing down her neck, and being pinned right away as the outcast, Ella wants nothing more than to just crawl under a rock for the rest of her life. Even the school’s sweetheart has it in for her.

Can she overcome her fear of the unknown? Will she ever learn to accept who she is? The most important thing Ella is concerned about is just surviving the semester at Hamilton Hill.

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I live in a fantasy world and have an over active imagination. But the best part about that is I never stop creating new characters and new stories to share. I love writing and expressing myself in a way that everyone else can enjoy as well. I work in the salon most days, but when i'm not doing hair, I'm writing or reading. 

Connect with Jessica:   Goodreads   Twitter    Facebook   Blog

Ah! This series leaves me hanging every time but I love it. It's like a little bit or torture along with all the goodness that's within the pages.

After finishing the first book in the series, I was totally heartbroken, hoping that it was all a misunderstanding, and as soon as I started book 2, it would be set right.

I liked where the author took the plot - sending Ella away to the school. I liked the new characters that were introduced. Roman was questionable there for a while. I wasn't sure if I liked him or not. He was so wishy washy and couldn't make up his own mind. It was like he was totally bipolar. Things are explained the farther you move along in the novel. Then it was Ella who got on my nerves because I felt like she was leading on Roman and still pining after Tristan (who could blame her though - loved him!)

Then you hit the climax - the battle. I was a little shocked that it wasn't more drawn out and climactic. It seemed almost too easy and over way too quickly. But then the kink is thrown in what you think happened and you're back going "OH MY CRAP!"

The ending left me feeling awful for Roman but excited for Ella. I can't wait to see where the story goes next. But again, I'm really sad for Roman :(

Overall Rating: 4 Stars
Cover Rating: 3 Stars
Characters: 4.5 Stars
Plot: 4 Stars
Climax: 3.5 Stars
Ending: 4.5 Stars

Review, Excerpt & Giveaway: Wanted by Annika James

Wanted

by Annika James

YA Paranormal Romance

First Published Jan 1, 2013

*Ebook obtained in exchange for an honest review

 as part of the tour*

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Attacked as a young witch and left for dead, Ashlinn is deathly afraid of being bitten again. Having survived until she’s almost eighteen without donating blood to any of her vamp friends, Ashlinn figures she’ll continue to live bite-free. After her crush reveals how powerful she is, however, the Vampire Council declares she be claimed as a familiar, which requires biting. Ashlinn doesn’t want to be owned, even by hot vamp, Conor. Luckily, her best friend, Matt, volunteers for the job. She is given one week to choose her protector, and the list of willing biters keeps growing. Will she go with best friend Matt, hot vamp Conor, or someone else to protect her? Will she be able to get her power under control by then? Will she overcome her phobia of being bitten? And who says she needs to be protected, anyhow?

 Grab Your Copy:     Amazon      Barnes & Noble

Annika James lives in small-town Wisconsin with her husband and two beautiful kiddos. She spends her days working to pay the bills and her nights dreaming of more fun ways to do so. Her passions include writing, reading, music and traveling with her family. She dreams of a world where vampires and powerful witches really exist, because life would be so much more interesting.

Website Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, MuseItUp, Amazon, Barnes & Noble

I could tell he was still looking down at me. His hand rested on the shelf next

to my head and his other hand came up on the other side, trapping me between his arms. I looked up shyly. How many times had I pictured being alone with Conor? It was like a dream, and I was frozen, unsure of what to do, unsure of what he wanted from me. What was he playing at?

He leaned toward me, holding my gaze with his. I forgot how to breathe, how

to think. Then his lips touched mine, electricity exploding up and down my body.

Soft and gentle, they probed, tasting, testing. I didn’t move to touch him, just

remained frozen. There was only the kiss. His mouth moved to my jaw, kissing his

way down to my neck. His teeth grazed my skin.

I unfroze and found my voice. “No!” I felt a surge of power push through me.

Conor flew backward across the room. He crashed into a bookcase, sending an

avalanche of books over him as he fell to the floor. He slumped there, holding his head, dazed. He looked up in confusion, mouth opened ready to speak. At that moment, my muscles remembered how to move and I ran for the door. It opened in front of me, not of my power, and Matt appeared. He’d probably felt my surge of power. I hadn’t meant to throw Conor. Panic had overtaken me and I had lost control for an instant.

I flew into Matt’s arms and he embraced me. Matt was my rock. His presence

calmed me, it always did. He was like a protective big brother. I knew he

understood the whole scene in the seconds before I’d found his arms. I buried my

face in the T-shirt pulled tight across his strong chest, and breathed in his scent, a

mix of fabric softener and cologne. It was familiarity, it was home, and it helped to center me. I peeked out at Conor. He stepped out of the pile of books and

straightened his clothing.

Wanted pulled me in from the synopsis so I was very excited to dig into this novel. During the first few chapters, I wasn't pulled right in though. It took a few chapters before I became really invested in the story. I'm not sure why that was exactly... it may have just simply been getting used to the setting. Overall, this seemed like a short read. I read the entire thing in one sitting because once I was invested in the characters, I didn't want to stop reading.

Ashlinn goes to a school where there are vampires, witches, and humans mingling together. Her best friends are both vampires and she's a witch. I really enjoyed Cora & Matt. They were both great characters. Conor...swoon. Of course he's the guy who holds Ashlinn's attention - The vampire who she's had a crush so deep that it's hard for her to explain why she feels such a connection with him. 

The story takes an unexpected twist that throws everyone into a serious whirlwind of action. In order to ensure vampires from all over don't begin to basically throw themselves on Ashlinn, she must become a vampire's familiar by the end of the week. It's awesome that she was realizing that she was obviously quite powerful....however, it came with the cost of having to become a familiar. I thought it was an interesting plot twist and I couldn't wait to see how it turned out. 

And...enter the triangle of sorts... Ashlinn must decide if she's going to become Matt's familiar (her trusty best friend / protector) or Conor's (hot crush who is trying to prove his honestly and gain her trust). Cora is her anchor through everything and I really appreciated having her character there (even though she wasn't a huge focal point). Conor tries to prove himself to Ashlinn and, honestly, I thought it was going to be a ruse and there would be something sinister behind his intent. Matt, her best friend and protector, tries to separate his emotions from the situation and give Ashlinn what he thinks she wants overall... but things just don't go the way any of them are expecting :)

Now, the story was full of plot twists and huge surprises. I won't ruin them for everyone so I'll just say that they were GREAT surprises - even the ones that were related to negative events. 

The ending... Holy freaking crap. Seriously??!?! That's where it ended?!?! I want to know if this novel is going to be part of a series? I'll be honest and say that one premonition and then the ending, suggested that this novel could be a fabulous New Adult, more mature YA, nearly adult type novel that I would totally swoon over. Jeewiz. Seriously? I can't believe it ended where it did. I kept trying to flip the ebook's page but it was the end!!!!


Overall Rating: 4.5 Stars
Cover Rating: 4 Stars
Characters: 5 Stars
Plot: 4 Stars
Climax: 5 Stars 
Ending: 1 Star - KIDDING!!!! Totally kidding. I only kid because it seriously left me hanging on the edge of my seat wanting MORE. Soooo...4.5 Stars. 

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Cover Reveal: Origin by J.L. Armentrout!

Origin

Lux #4

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

YA Paranormal Romance

Expected Publication: 8/27/13

Published by

 Entangled Publishing

Synopsis Via Goodreads:

Daemon will do anything to get Katy back.

After the successful but disastrous raid on Mount Weather, he’s facing the impossible. Katy is gone. Taken. Everything becomes about finding her. Taking out anyone who stands in his way? Done. Burning down the whole world to save her? Gladly. Exposing his alien race to the world? With pleasure.

All Katy can do is survive.

Surrounded by enemies, the only way she can come out of this is to adapt. After all, there are sides of Daedalus that don’t seem entirely crazy, but the group’s goals are frightening and the truths they speak even more disturbing. Who are the real bad guys? Daedalus? Mankind? Or the Luxen?

Together, they can face anything.

But the most dangerous foe has been there all along, and when the truths are exposed and the lies come crumbling down, which side will Daemon and Katy be standing on? And will they even be together?

Pre-Order Your Copy:  Amazon   B&N

I've got mine pre-ordered! What about you?!

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer Armentrout lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell, Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Connect With Jennifer:   Twitter     Facebook    Website 

Release Day Blitz: Resisting Fate by Heather Van Fleet

Resisting Fate

by Heather Van Fleet

Young Adult Paranormal Romance 

                        Published by Sunshine Press
                            Release Date: June 28th

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Seventeen-year-old Emmy O’Connell is the epitome of a hot mess.

Her boyfriend’s been shipped out of town to some boarding school four states away. Her step-douche is constantly drunk and badgering her. And then there’s her good-ole-mom… The lady is nothing more than a miserable shell of a woman. She’s turned off all of her feelings and her ability to be a good mother as well, leaving poor Emmy and her four year old brother Jamie to suffer. Life couldn’t get much worse, right?

Enter the elusive, cocky, and oh-so-broody Jack Hartman…

The jerk cousin of her boyfriend becomes Emmy’s worst nightmare…times ten. He’s cruel. He’s insensitive. But he also has this strange little ability over her – he makes her weak in the knees with thea single touch. No matter how miserable or amazing Jack makes her feel, Emmy can’t seem to deny him, especially when he takes on the role of her protector –her pseudo-knight in a black leather coat.

A knight who also happens to ride in on his black Harley, instead of a white horse…

And to make a bad situation worse…

Werewolves and teens shouldn’t mix! But what can Emmy do when she finds herself thrown head first into the center of it all. Can she handle the supernatural mess her life rapidly becomes or will she fight against the inevitable fate her heart desires?

“That smart mouth doesn’t sit well with me,” he licked his lips. His eyes never wavered from mine.

I nibbled on my lower lip, just as a small smile graced the edges of my mouth. Oh yeah, my bravado was about ready to kick some ass. I think I kind of liked being a smart ass.

“What are you going to do about it Jack?” I inhaled a breath, taking in his warm, delicious scent. My throat went even drier than before. I practically stared holes into his face as I studied every tiny mark, every single scar on his perfectly flawed skin. He was gorgeous, with a little scar here, a little white patch there. His hotness could have left me breathless for days if I kept up my perusal any longer.

And then I blinked, Christ. I knew exactly what had to be done. I had to kiss him. I had to get this itch scratched and then I had to move on. His eyes darkened, his breath was warm and heavy over my face, and he licked his lips. I blinked. Holy-balls… He wanted to kiss me too.

That ever-present electricity running between us wouldn’t stop. If anything, it only increased our pull. I moved in; his lips touching my lips was all I wanted. I needed to feel again, feel it all with a boy who hated me, but apparently wanted to kiss me as badly.

Dryness on dryness soon changed to warmth on warmth, and when I pressed my mouth fully to his, his hands left my neck, and went to my waist. His fingernails dug into my sides and the son of a bitch pushed me away from him.

So there I was, my head tilted to the side, ready, willing, and able to do whatever the hell this moment led us too, and all he could do was chuckle. Yes. Chuckle. He was the biggest rat bastard.

Ever.

 

Grab Your Copy:   Amazon     B&N  

Heather Van Fleet currently resides in northern Illinois, with her three little ladies, Kelsey, Emma, and Isabella, and her fabulous hubby (and high school sweetheart) Chris, with whom she’s been blissfully married to now for ten years. She’s a stay at home mom by day, and an avid and completely obsessive writer and reader by night.

Heather always had a soft spot in her heart for books, and she’s been creating her own little stories since she was a seven year old. But she never really had the confidence or the time to actually sit down and really do something about it, until her youngest daughter was born just two years ago.

Resisting Fate, book one in her Predetermined series, is her young adult, paranormal baby! It’s packed full of wolves…witches…and one sassy little red-headed teenage girl! She had an absolute blast writing it, and can’t wait to share it with the world!

                               Connect With Heather:  Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

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ARC Review & Giveaway: The Underground Witch (Incenega #2) by Debbie Dee

The Underground Witch

Incenega #2

by Debbie Dee

YA Paranormal Romance

Published May 2, 2013 by Dolce Books

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

Synopsis via Goodreads:

As the last of the Incenaga Witches, Emmeline has been tortured and forced to use her power to kill. But unlike the Incenagas before her, she has survived. With her freedom restored, she should feel safe, invincible even. After all, she has the protection of Prince Erick’s army and a power strong enough to obliterate any enemy. Yet Emmeline lives in fear for the next person who will try to control her, and no one can seem to find the tyrant threatening to claim her.

Until it’s too late.

With everything on the line, and the enemy at her throat, will Emmeline be able to use her power like never before? Even if it kills her?

In The Underground Witch, the second novel of the Incenaga Trilogy, Debbie Dee delivers enough adventure, heartbreak, and suspense to captivate readers at every turn.

Grab Your Copy of The Last Witch (bk 1) & The Underground Witch:

B&N:

The Last Witch

The Underground Witch

About the Author:

Debbie Dee recently moved to southern Idaho with her husband and three children where she is learning how to be a country girl in her favorite pair of blue heels. She adores fairy tales and happy endings, but secretly crushes on the bad guy now and then. 

As a dedicated musician who practices way too much, she never expected writing would sweep her off her feet until she jotted down a scene from a daydream, which turned into two scenes, which turned into a messy house and her first novel. Since then she hasn’t been able to let a day go by without writing. 

In addition to writing, she plays the piano, harp, violin, and gets in frequent fights with her cello. She loves to read and play board games - when she is winning.

Connect With Debbie:   Website  Goodreads   Facebook   Twitter   Amazon 

My Review:

If you missed my review of The Last Witch (bk 1) go HERE and check it out.

This review will be saying a lot of the same things because, well, this series is AH-Mazing! Several of the things I discussed in that review were proven yet again to be true when I read The Underground Witch!

I LOVED The Last Witch - completely fell in love with Emmeline and Erick. The Underground Witch reinforced that love. I didn't realize it was even possible for me to love them any more than I already did... but I was so wrong! I love them so much more now. Through the emotional ups and downs, I wanted to hug them, cry, pat them on the back, yell at them! Everything!

Emmeline is truly an amazingly well-written character. If I could honestly jump into a book and become a character, I would love to be her! (Yes, I want her eyes but having Erick too - Totally Great Idea! Ha).

I adored the new characters that we were introduced to as well - O'fin & Emmeline's grandmother! <3 I adore them! Then, of course, we have the introduction of the new bad guys. They kept me on my toes almost as if I was having to look over my own shoulder a time or two.

Erick - swoon - is the perfect Prince Charming. I just adore his character. I have to admit I wanted to smack him then turn around and hug him a few times in this novel. We (as the reader) know what's going on and he doesn't. So, of course, we want him to push, fight, and just GO, MOVE, NOW... but, duh, he doesn't because he doesn't KNOW what's going on at the time. I was biting my nails and flipping the pages as fast as I possibly could!

The movement of the plot is spectacular. There's not a single dull moment (and that goes for bk 1 AND bk 2).

I can't really say this any other way, so I'm just going to have to quote this statement from my review of The Last Witch:

"The writing style that Debbie Dee brings to this novel was so precise that my eyes simply flowed across the pages without any effort. For someone like me who reads at least 3 books a week, this is quite an accomplishment. I've seen writing of every style and Debbie Dee's is one of the most comfortable yet poised style I've come across."

If you haven't noticed, I could go on and on about this series. It's one of my faves! Eeek!! I can't wait to see what happens next!!!!!

So, again, let me tell you that this series has it all - Good girls, great guys, amazing plot sequence, great action, a lot of emotion, great bad guys, romance that makes you swoon... I mean, seriously, I could keep going if you want me to?

Umm... yea... I still want Emmeline's eyes!! LOL Can someone please create contacts like that? I would greatly appreciate it - 'Kay - Thanks! :)


Overall Rating: 5 HUGE Stars!
Cover Rating: Seriously 5 More Huge Stars! <- This series has the most amazing covers!!!!
Characters: 5 Stars!
Plot: 5 Stars
Climax: Eeeek 5 Stars
Ending: 5 Stars (even though I shed a few tears - it was an amazing ending)

Giveaway!!!!!!!

*Open Int*

Each stop on the tour is giving away 5 ebook copies of The Last Witch (bk 1)!!! Make sure to stop by all of the other stops on the tour & increase your chance to win! Click on the tour banner above to go to Sage's Blog Tours site to see who else is on the tour! You DEFINITELY want to win a copy of The Last Witch!! It's AH-MAZING! Now, because I adore Debbie & this series, I'm also going to gift 1 ebook copy of The Underground Witch (bk 2) to the first place winner!

Soooooo... Use the Rafflecopter Below to enter for your chance to win 1 of 5 ebook copies of The Last Witch plus 1 ebook copy of The Underground Witch!

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Cover Reveal: Resisting Fate by Heather Van Fleet

Title: Resisting Fate

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance

Release Day: June 14^th 2013

Publisher: Sunshine Press

Seventeen-year-old Emmy O’Connell is the epitome of a hot mess. 

Her boyfriend’s been shipped out of town to some boarding school four states away. Her step douche is constantly drunk and badgering her. And then there’s her good-ole-mom… The lady is nothing more than a miserable shell of a woman. She’s turned off all of her feelings and her ability to be a good mother as well, leaving poor Emmy and her four year old brother Jamie to suffer. Life couldn’t get much worse, right?

 Enter the elusive, cocky, and oh-so-broody Jack Hartman…

The jerk cousin of her boyfriend becomes Emmy’s worst nightmare…times ten. He’s cruel. He’s insensitive. But he also has this strange little ability over her – he makes her weak in the knees with the single touch of his hand. But no matter how miserable or amazing Jack makes her feel, Emmy can’t seem to deny him, especially when he takes on the role of her protector –her pseudo-knight in a black leather coat. A knight who also just so happens to ride in on his black Harley, instead of a white horse… 

And to make a bad situation worse…

Werewolves and teens shouldn’t mix! But what can Emmy do when she finds herself thrown head first into the center of it all? Can she handle the supernatural mess her life rapidly becomes or will she fight against the inevitable fate her heart desires?

Website   Goodreads   Facebook

About the author:

Heather Van Fleet currently reside in northern Illinois, with her three little ladies, and fabulous hubby, and high school sweetheart, Chris. She’s a stay at home mom by day, and an avid and completely obsessive writer and reader by night.

She’s always had a soft spot in her heart for books, and has been creating her own little stories since the age of seven. But she never really had the confidence or the time to actually sit down and really do something about it until her youngest daughter Isabella was born just two years ago. Bella, as well as her older sisters Kelsey and Emma, are and always will be her greatest inspirations.