Friday, June 28, 2013

A great Fall


Falling Into Us (Falling, #2)Falling Into Us by Jasinda Wilder

When Kyle Calloway died, he took a part of Nell with him. She wasn’t the only one left to pick up the pieces, however; Kyle’s death left a gaping hole in the hearts and lives of his parents and his older brother Colton, and ultimately broke the will of the girl he loved.

THE STORY YOU NEVER IMAGINED...

Becca de Rosa is Nell’s best friend. When Kyle died, Nell was so devastated that no one could reach her, not even her best friend Becca. As she tries to help Nell through her grief, Becca’s own life is thrust into turmoil, and everything she knows is changed.

Jason Dorsey asked Nell out the week after her sixteenth birthday, but that date never happened. Instead, he ended up going out with Nell’s best friend, Becca. He had no way of knowing, then, how that one date would send him on a life-long journey with Becca. He had no way of knowing the tragedies and triumphs he would experience, or that in Becca, he might find the love of a lifetime.



Rate & take



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Heat Index   3 ☼☼☼


This is a follow up story to Falling Into You and I thought it was masterfully done. The author took two very minor characters from the original story and wove a whole new story for these bit players and also focused a lot more light on the original story through their eyes. It was beautiful, moving, and steamy. A perfect combination for good story telling.


Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Fighting Fae


Fighting Destiny (The Fae Chronicles, #1)Fighting Destiny by Amelia Hutchins

Have you ever heard of the old Celtic legends of the Fae - beautiful, magical, and deadly creatures that have a love of messing with humans just for kicks and giggles?

Welcome to my world.

What started out as a strange assignment, lead to one of the most gruesome murder mysteries of our times. My friends and I are set and determined to find out who is killing off Fae and Witches alike.

Couple of problems in the way – I hate the Fae and the Prince of the Dark Fae is bound and determined that I work for him. He’s a rude, overbearing egotistical ass with a compulsive need to possess, dominate and control me. Oh – did I mention that he is absolutely sex-on-a-stick gorgeous and he makes me feel things that I never ever wanted to feel for a Fae...every time he touches me or looks at me with those dangerous golden eyes he seems to pull me further in under his spell, despite my better judgment.

My friends and I can’t trust anyone and nothing is as it seems on the surface – not even me.





Rate & take



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Heat Index   3  ☼☼☼


I do love a good story with the Fae and this one did not disappoint....well at least it didn't until the ending left me in a cliff hanging moment. The next page said book two would be out in 2013 so at least that is something.

The story was made more interesting by having vampires (the kind that get upset if you ask them if they sparkle) and witches (no brooms or cauldron's noted) working with Fae(who are out to the public) to solve serial murders that affect them all, but it's not all work and no play, there is plenty of steam and tension to keep things lively.

Monday, June 24, 2013

O.k. vibes only


Good Vibrations (Welcome to Paradise, #1)Good Vibrations by S.L. Scott

I grab her exploring finger just as it reaches my happy trail—a trail that if I let her wander down further will lead us to do things we can’t take back. Things like three-word phrases being confessed that would end me if I was rejected. Things like selfishly wanting to own her body and doing things to her that would make my fantasies blush. And things like making her promises too soon that won’t do either of us any good. She makes me want a future that’s not possible, and one I don’t deserve.

Listening to my ego got me into this situation. Will listening to my heart get me out?




Rate & take



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Heat Index    1  ☼

There was some sweetness but much of the story telling was basic, just enough character development to get by, some steamy scenes thrown in with all the angsty ones, it just didn't gel together and knock me out. I also think it is interesting that the passage above was the one chosen for the book blurb, that it's steamy and without much substance does not speak well for the read. Here is what I did like: It was set in Hawaii, what I did learned of the two main characters was enjoyable, and finally (and darn it!) the few pages of teaser they gave us from the next book, which will be out in September of this year, is when it seems the real conflicts begin to divide our couple. So book two will most likely have to hit my reading list.

Friday, June 21, 2013

Not Saved


Save My Soul (Preternaturals, #2)Save My Soul by Zoe Winters

All he's asking for is her soul. After buying the antebellum home she's fantasized about since childhood, Anna Worthington discovers Luc, a dangerously seductive incubus who has been trapped in the house by a fifty-year-old curse. To rid herself of her problem house guest she'll call on a priest, gypsies, ghost hunters, and the coven of witches from lust bunny hell. All she has to do is resist him long enough to break the spell so they can go their separate ways. If she doesn't, she could die. And that would be the best case scenario.




Rate & take




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Heat Index   1  ☼


I was really excited to find this, the second book in the Preternaturals series because I enjoyed the first book. I just felt like it could have been better, and by the end when the big twist was revealed I just didn't find myself invested in the characters enough to care that much. I wanted to like it more than I did.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Connectivity


The Arrangement  1-7 by H.M. Ward
 
 

 The Arrangement (The Arrangement, #1)     The Arrangement 2 (The Arrangement, #2)    The Arrangement 3 (The Arrangement, #3)



  The Arrangement 4 (The Arrangement, #4)   The Arrangement 5 (The Arrangement, #5)    The Arrangement 6 (The Arrangement, #6)     


                                   The Arrangement 7 (The Arrangement #7)

From book one:

FML is becoming Avery's motto. Just when she doesn't think things could get any worse, they do. When her car stalls out at a busy intersection and she gets out to check under the hood, a guy steals her car. Armed with a dress and a pair of Chucks, Avery runs after the thief. When a hot stranger offers to help, she can't say no. That's how Avery meets Sean Ferro, the totally sexy, totally damaged guy with more secrets than she has time for.

Avery doesn't have time for anything anymore. Her is life falling apart and it's not just the car. It's everything, and it doesn't matter how tightly she tries to hold on, there's nothing left to hold on to. With the sudden death of her parents, it's only a matter of months until Avery's shot at college is gone, and she's living in a cardboard box. Other students have their families to rely on when things get bad. Avery has no one.

But there's one option, one incredibly sexy, morally devoid, option. If Avery takes a job as a call girl, one guy could save her. One client. One time. She just has to say yes.





Rate & take



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Heat Index  3  ☼☼☼


I am rating all of these novella length books together since I read them all over a 24 hour period. It was like eating a favorite candy - impossible to have just one. At the end of book seven we were introduced to a character from this book - and I should not have been surprised as the books share the same author. I will happily continue with this series as more books are released because I just can't let this story roll around in my head unfinished. If I had one complaint it's not about the story but about the cost...each download was the cost of a full length book, but I felt my enjoyment outweighed the expense in this case.

Monday, June 17, 2013

Forever Falling


Forever Too Far (Too Far, #3)Forever Too Far by Abbi Glines

Rush promised her forever... but promises can be broken.

Torn between his love for his family and his love for Blaire, Rush has to find a way to save one without losing the other. In the end one has to be more important. Letting go isn’t easy.

Blaire believed in her fairytale... but no one can live in a fantasy.

Her love for Rush and desire to have a family keep her believing that they can find a way for this to work. Until she has to make the right decision for her and the baby. Even if it breaks her heart.

Can they find the forever that they both want or has it all just gone... too far?




Rate & take


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Heat Index  3  ☼☼☼


I don't think I will ever get tired of Blaire, Rush, and friends. I will always want more of their story. The author has said that the story for Blair & Rush is now complete with this third book (book one is Fallen Too Far, book two Never Too Far) but this girl can be hopeful. And if nothing else I will get glimpses of B & R in the upcoming spin off stories for two characters with smaller parts in the trilogy. This last book was wonderful, but I will say that it felt a little less somehow, not as dynamic as the first two books I guess, but my enjoyment level was there just the same.

Friday, June 14, 2013

Communing


The Emily Chambers Spirit Medium Trilogy Boxed SetThe Emily Chambers Spirit Medium Trilogy by C.J. Archer

Seventeen year-old spirit medium Emily Chambers has a problem. Actually, she has several. As if seeing dead people isn't a big enough social disadvantage, she also has to contend with an escaped demon and a handsome ghost with a secret past. And then there's the question of her parentage. Being born an entire year after her father's death (yes, a year) and without the pale skin of other respectable English ladies, Emily is as much a mystery as the dead boy assigned to her.

Jacob Beaufort's spirit has been unable to crossover since his death several months ago. It might have something to do with the fact he was murdered. Or it might not. All he knows is, he has been assigned by the Otherworld's administrators to a girl named Emily. A girl who can see and touch him. A girl who released a shape-shifting demon into the mortal realm. Together they must send the demon back before it wreaks havoc on London. It should be a simple assignment, but they soon learn there's nothing simple when a live girl and a dead boy fall in love.





My rate & take



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I was curious and downloaded this trilogy after seeing it offered at a deep discount, now I wished I had been charged more because this series was well worth it!! And I am so glad I read the entire trilogy at once because book one and two left you with some resolutions but there was still so much more to be revealed.

The pacing, the action, and the dialog were wonderful and kept those pages turning. I loved all of the main characters and would love to read more about them in the future if the author would be so kind as to write that for me!!



Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Entwine me please


Entwined with You (Crossfire, #3)Entwined with You by Sylvia Day

From the moment I first met Gideon Cross, I recognized something in him that I needed. Something I couldn’t resist. I saw the dangerous and damaged soul inside–so much like my own. I was drawn to it. I needed him as surely as I needed my heart to beat.

No one knows how much he risked for me. How much I’d been threatened, or just how dark and desperate the shadow of our pasts would become.

Entwined by our secrets, we tried to defy the odds. We made our own rules and surrendered completely to the exquisite power of possession.





My rate & take



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Heat Index   5   ☼☼☼☼☼


Oh Gideon.....if only you were real, and I was a lot younger, and if, and if, and if.
I am so in love with this series and each book is more exciting than the last.

This is book three of the Crossfire series and the author is planning a 4th and 5th before the series comes to an end, and yes once it is over I plan to read the whole series through from beginning to end. While reading I found myself amazingly happy....but now that is over, not so much, I want so much more. 

If you are interested, here are my review of the first book in the series and the second.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Being good


Being Me (Inside Out Trilogy, #2)Being Me by Lisa Renee Jones

Fascinated by the dark fantasies in the journals she’s discovered, and the two men who have now found a place in her life, Sara McMillan finds herself torn between her new life and her past. Now, more than ever, Sara identifies with the lost journal writer, Rebecca, and is certain that something sinister has happened.

In the arms of the sexy, tormented artist Chris Merit, Sara seeks answers about Rebecca and ends up discovering things about herself she never knew existed. Chris forces Sara to reconsider who she is and what she truly wants from life, but not before his dark desires threaten to tear them apart. Her boss, Mark Compton, offers her the shelter to understand just what those needs mean to her, and what they might have meant to Rebecca, but can she trust him to lead her to a final conclusion to Rebecca’s story?



Disclaimer: I recieved this book free of charge via Net Galley for the purpose of review. The publication date is June 11th 2013.



My rate & take



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Heat Index  3  ☼☼☼


This is book two of the Inside Out Trilogy, and I just found out this series has been optioned by the Starz cable network - and if it does make it to the small screen I will be one adoring fan.


I very much enjoyed this latest gem in the series, the plot keeps moving along so smoothly providing just the right amount of conflicts, complications, and heat to keep this reader very happy! I do hope it won't be too long of a wait for the final book.

Friday, June 7, 2013

Obsessed


ObsessionObsession by Jennifer L. Armmentrout

He’s arrogant, domineering, and... To. Die. For.

Hunter is a ruthless killer. And the Department of Defense has him firmly in their grasp, which usually doesn’t chafe too badly because he gets to kill bad guys. Most of the time he enjoys his job. That is, until he’s saddled with something he’s never had to do before: protect a human from his mortal enemy.

Serena Cross didn’t believe her best friend when she claimed to have seen the son of a powerful senator turn into something... unnatural. Who would? But then she witnesses her friend’s murder at the hands of what can only be an alien, thrusting her into a world that will kill to protect their secret.

Hunter stirs Serena’s temper and her lust despite their differences. Soon he’s doing the unthinkable—breaking the rules he’s lived by, going against the government to keep Serena safe. But are the aliens and the government the biggest threats to Serena’s life… or is it Hunter?




My rate & take



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Heat Index   3 ☼☼☼


This one was a pleasant surprise....it was written by the author of ObsidianOnyx, and Opal, of the Lux series. The Lux series is Y.A. but this book was written with a more mature audience in mind as the heat factor is turned up! This book can be read without reading the series, but you would be missing some good writing and the ties-ins to the characters in Lux. See my reviews of the Lux series to date by clicking on the titles above. Another interesting twist this book added is that in the Lux series we are lead to believe one of the two alien races that are blending in on earth are without any good qualities other than being useful as killers, but in this offering we see there is much more depth than we were lead to believe.


Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Not so incendiary



Inferno (Robert Langdon, #4)Inferno by Dan Brown

In the heart of Italy, Harvard professor of symbology Robert Langdon is drawn into a harrowing world centered on one of history’s most enduring and mysterious literary masterpieces . . . Dante’s Inferno.

Against this backdrop, Langdon battles a chilling adversary and grapples with an ingenious riddle that pulls him into a landscape of classic art, secret passageways, and futuristic science. Drawing from Dante’s dark epic poem, Langdon races to find answers and decide whom to trust . . . before the world is irrevocably altered.




My rate & take



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I was a big fan of the author's Angels & Demons and was looking forward to the publication of this latest adventure of Professor Langdon. When the date arrived I downloaded it and began reading right away. Then I spent most of my reading time struggling to finish it. I don't know what went wrong...was it me? Did Mr. Brown set up a page count in advance of writing the book and then fill the blank spots with seemingly endless amounts of history/art history lessons (not saying that was all bad) and doom and gloom lectures about the earth resources being outpaced by unchecked population growth? It did pull together nicely at the end - that is the reason I gave it a third skull.  I wanted and tried hard to love it but it just wasn't meant to be. Maybe this title would fare better in the hands of another reader.

Monday, June 3, 2013

Rain Fall


Storm (Elemental, #1)Storm by Brigid Kemmerer

Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys; all the ones she doesn't want. Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. They're powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death.

And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca.

Secrets are hard to keep when your life's at stake. When Hunter, the mysterious new kid around school, turns up with a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Becca thinks she can trust him. But then Hunter goes head-to-head with Chris, and Becca wonders who's hiding the most dangerous truth of all.

The storm is coming.





My rate & take




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I have a soft spot in my heart for YA (young adult) books. There is some really great story  telling going on in the genre and this title (book 1 of the Elemental series) is every bit the page turner as well. Imagine going through the typical teen girl tortures when you come across a family of boys that have loads more problems than you do, problems that could get you harmed or killer just for being seen around them. 

I hope to return to this series once I knock a few scheduled books off my TBR list.

Summer is fast approaching for some of us...what do you plan to read this summer?