Monday, September 29, 2014

She is trying to kill me


The Arrangement 16 by H.M. Ward


23016561


I've gone from a future of possibilities to nothing in a single gunshot. Homeless, penniless and without the man I love, my hopelessness overwhelms me and I seek unexpected comfort from people long absent in my life. I can’t lose Sean—not now, not ever—and I’ll do anything to get him back, even if it means using myself as bait.






Rate & take


Photobucket


I think I have said it here often enough, but I'll say it again. I am totally loyal to this series and will see if through until the end...unless the author kills me first. In this installment I exited with as many questions as I entered. I know stuff happened but it felt even less than usual. I hope the author is busy writing me the next one now. Thankfully it isn't usually too long between publications. Some silver lining anyway.

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Sweet beach


Unintentional Virgin by A.J. Bennett


18212168


Karma Points is cursed. Cursed with a stupid name and the inability to lose her virginity. She's on a mission to lose her virginity before she turns twenty if it's the last thing she does.

One night, her good friend Eva brings her to an underground club where Karma meets a tattooed bouncer. He’s far from the clean-cut type she normally falls for, which makes her think this finally might be the night she crosses the threshold of womanhood.

Excited, she goes home with the bouncer named Jax and as always, her dreams crash down once again. Jax cannot believe she is willing to give away her virginity to a stranger she met at a club. As the only son with five sisters and a widowed mom, he can't morally go through with it, even though he's never been more tempted in his life.

Unwilling to let her walk away he strikes a deal. Karma has to spend three weeks dating him and then decide if she wants to have sex or walk away.



Rate & take


Photobucket


This book is one to add to the beach read list, but that's not to say it doesn't offer a few extra's. There is some unexpected sweetness here from the main male character and some parental issues that add some humor depth when needed. And don't you love the name of the main female character? Check out the blurb above for that cute detail.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Jumping into the Rock



Captivating Bridge by Michelle Mankin


20936124


Warren “War” Jinkins is that guy.
The bad one.
Tempest’s ex front man, an arrogant rock god.
The only thing larger than his ego is his capacity for self-destruction.
His bad attitude has cost him. His woman. His best friend. His band. Everything.
Shaina Bentley is that girl.
The good one.
Hollywood’s pink candy-coated sweetheart.
The star of Pinky Swear, television’s top rated teen show.
She’s been practically perfect since that horrible day. But she’s starting to crack under the strain of being everything to everyone.
He’s a one man island. She’s a fragile captive soul.
Is love a current too dangerous to cross or will it be the bridge that brings them together?



Rate & take


Photobucket


I got this as a free or deeply discounted book from one of the nifty email services I subscribe to that bring goodness (and savings) the my email box each day. (See this page for the services I use). I had no idea, until I finished it, that it was book three in a series. It read great as a stand alone and I didn't feel like I was missing any crucial details. Kudos to the author for that! I enjoyed the book but don't feel the need to either go back or move forward in the series at this time, mostly because I know the story will move on from these two main characters and I liked them too much to just move on. Who knows, maybe one day I will change my mind on that.


Thursday, September 18, 2014

Sweetness


Hooked on the Game by C.M. Owens


22129048



Everyone has secrets that define them, a past that has shaped them, and a game they play - whether they know it or not.

Despite the fact they live next door to each other, Kade and Raya have never made an effort to speak, until a wild party, four frat boys, and... a bulldozer.

Sterling Shore was supposed to be a new start for eighteen-year-old Raya Capperton. Everything was working out perfectly until her two roommates were expelled for a prank, leaving Raya with the house she couldn't afford on her own. Fate intervenes before she has the chance to find a new home, but she struggles to decide if it's divine luck or the devil's cruel sense of humor.

Twenty-one-year-old Kade Colton has his life planned out, and everything he does is an elaborate game to aid him with his future endeavors. Coming from money has made Kade's life easy, but he wants to build his own name - his own future. The thing he doesn't realize... when you only put forth superficial effort, you only acquire superficial friends.

Raya is torn between being amused or disturbed by Kade and his philosophy, but the drive behind his determination isn't what Raya expected. Little by little, her hatred fades and is replaced by emotions she never would have believed she could have for the rich jerk she desperately doesn't want to care about. Too bad you can't force yourself not to care.

The problem is... Kade's shiny name can't be tarnished, and Raya has a jaded tie she can't cut loose. Nothing about them can work, nothing about them makes sense, but nothing can seem to stop them from trying. 



Rate & take


Photobucket          AND     1/2        Photobucket


A book with more depth that it first appears. I loved that about it! The whole set up of the plot has a unique spin on the poor girl and rich boy/is it love or isn't it, story. This book provides much reading enjoyment from beginning to end.

Monday, September 15, 2014

Sixing it up


Six Months by Dannika Dark


21548791


April Frost is a compassionate young woman with a steady job and ambitious goals. But the harder she runs away from her past, the more it threatens to destroy her. When three strangers enter her life, April is forced to face her demons and it's a battle she may not win.

Private investigators in the Breed world are men who take risks, and Reno Cole is no exception. As a Shifter, he's expected to control his inner animal. But lately his wolf has been venturing dangerously close to the city, and he's about to discover why. When Reno is reintroduced to a family friend, the attraction is immediate. April captivates him with her secretive eyes and resilient spirit. She's also in trouble, and despite the fact she's a human, Reno can't turn his back on her.

April is caught between two worlds: One that threatens to bury her dreams and another that could fulfill them. Can she trust the wolf at her door and find the courage to overcome her demons?



Rate and take


Photobucket


This book is from the point of view of the of co-worker to the main character in book one, Seven Years. Which I loved because there were several hints dropped about her (April) in book one to make me want to know a lot more about her. April has more than her share of baggage that keeps her well weighed down. Asking for help is not something she would ever consider doing. Thankfully someone sees through her stoic vibe and won't take no for an answer. Heat and adventure ensues. Enjoy!

Saturday, September 13, 2014

September Book Club


Major Pettigrew's Last Stand By Helen Simonson



6643090



You are about to travel to Edgecombe St. Mary, a small village in the English countryside filled with rolling hills, thatched cottages, and a cast of characters both hilariously original and as familiar as the members of your own family. Among them is Major Ernest Pettigrew (retired), the unlikely hero of Helen Simonson's wondrous debut. Wry, courtly, opinionated, and completely endearing, Major Pettigrew is one of the most indelible characters in contemporary fiction, and from the very first page of this remarkable novel he will steal your heart.


The Major leads a quiet life valuing the proper things that Englishmen have lived by for generations: honor, duty, decorum, and a properly brewed cup of tea. But then his brother's death sparks an unexpected friendship with Mrs. Jasmina Ali, the Pakistani shopkeeper from the village. Drawn together by their shared love of literature and the loss of their respective spouses, the Major and Mrs. Ali soon find their friendship blossoming into something more. But village society insists on embracing him as the quintessential local and her as the permanent foreigner. Can their relationship survive the risks one takes when pursuing happiness in the face of culture and tradition?





Rate & take






When our book club was started at work it was decided that each person would suggest one book. This book was my pick so you can imagine I had a little more invested in the group enjoyment of it, no use having a riot this early in the clubs existence! I had nothing to worry about, the book was enjoyed by all and because of the many themes (ageism, elitism, racism, class-ism, and one or two more "ism's" that I might have missed) we had a great discussion. I first read this book four years ago and found it even more enjoyable this time around. I did feel the story got off to a slow start but more than made up for it later. Beyond all the themes in this book there is a sweetness that radiated with me long after I finished.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Seven Up


Seven Years by Dannika Dark

                                                                          
18659745



                                      Seven years ago, my world ended.
Seven years later, my new life began.

It's been seven years since Lexi Knight lost her brother in a tragic accident. On the anniversary of his death, her brother's best friend shows up unexpectedly - a man she hasn't seen since the funeral. He is no longer the boy Lexi once knew, but a dangerous-looking man with tattoos and dark secrets. He broke her trust and abandoned her family, yet what he reveals makes it impossible to stay angry. Lexi has been secretly infatuated with Austin since childhood, so finding out he's a Shifter just makes him sexier. Dammit.

Austin Cole has returned to the city where he grew up, and just in time. He's lived a hard life these past seven years, and the shadows of his past are threatening to destroy Lexi's family. It's time that she learned the truth about her brother, but there is a shocking twist that Austin never saw coming. Now he must protect her family when her mother and sister wind up in mortal danger. Will Lexi learn to accept the truth about who he is, and can Austin salvage a relationship from the ruins of their past?



Rate & take


Photobucket



A fracture family and secrets. Those things can make a good foundation for any story. This one mixes in a colorful neighbor and mysterious hot guys to make a heady cocktail of enjoyment. As soon as I finished I didn't waste any time and I dove right into the next book in the Seven series, Five Weeks, review to follow. I loved the way the main character spoke and thought, down to earth with just a touch of crazy behind it, made her feel very real. This book is some paranormal fun, can anyone say, here wolfie, wolfie, wolfie?!



Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Lumping from the angst(y) reader



I've come off a high of several good books and now I'm flailing around looking to land my next few solid reads. The following selection were not it! I'm choosing to do a bulk entry because I read them fairly quickly back to back and I don't think they are totally worthy of their own entry. 


Theses books get an average rating of;



                  Photobucket    AND 1/2   Photobucket

                          With a    HEAT INDEX of 1 ☼


13466202                   22558910




20795069                     21539427



Talented by Sophie Davis - This is the first book in the Talented Saga and I could have carried on with the series but it seemed like it was going to take it's time going back and forth to get to the real meat of the story. I'm too impatient to wait through that right now.

Second Chances by H.M. Ward - Read like a sappy Nicholas Sparks book (my apologies if you are a fan of N.S.)  I just want to ask the H.M. Ward, what happened?? I still love her as an author but this book was not up to her usual standard.

The Wedding Contract by H.M. Ward - It does have a cute factor that I can't deny and I did find mild enjoyment in the story but it was also a little too simplistic for me to have that satisfied feeling at the end of the story.

Sweet Renegade by Andria Large - It was a thin beach read at best. And I will share with you one bit that drove me up a wall!! In one scene the male lead opens the door for the female lead and he is in PJ bottoms, when they head to bed for sleep he is in jeans, then later gets up out of bed to get PJ bottoms out of a drawer. REALLY???!!! A little care in rereading could have taken care of that bad cut nicely. Plus there were some internal dialog scenes with the male that would never happen, real guys would never think like that. I know some authors have more of a knack for writing the opposite sex realistically, I don't think this author has that gift yet.

It could be me, maybe at another time I would have given these books a better rating, or maybe my tastes are evolving, or maybe I'm just in a weird reading place right now. I don't think I can put my finger on it so I will just carry on as usual, and hope for the best.

Confession, I did skim and jump around in two of these books (I assure you I missed nothing) because of my impatience. I just wanted to make a full disclosure on this.



Thursday, September 4, 2014

Alpha encounter



19489143The Alpha Group Complete collection (1-3) by Maya Cross


Sophia Pearce only has eyes for one thing; a partnership position at her prestigious Sydney law firm. But when a drunken bout of curiosity leads her somewhere forbidden, she meets Sebastian Lock, and in the blink of an eye, everything changes. Gorgeous, commanding, and radiating charm, he is exactly the sort of silver-tongued rake Sophia has sworn to avoid. Unfortunately, he doesn't care much for her promises. 

Every instinct tells her to run, but the chemistry between them is as inescapable as gravity. Soon, he's opening her eyes to a whole new world of pleasures, pleasures she never thought she'd enjoy.

There's just one problem. Sebastian is more than he seems. Between the famous company he keeps and the almost paranoid secrecy of his employers, he's a puzzle Sophia can't quite solve. Their passion for one another consumes them, but as Sebastian's secrets begin to unravel and lives are thrown into jeopardy, Sophia must answer one simple question. What is she willing to risk for love?



Rate & take




Photobucket


Heat Index  3 ☼☼☼

I thought I might be gambling a bit with this title - something about it made me think it would turn out to be too cheesy or just plain formula. Happily I was wrong. The plot kept my interest all the way through, I liked that the author mixed the intrigue with the heat.
I'm glad I got to read the three at one time because they just flowed so much better that way....and I didn't have any wait time. If you choose to read this title, once you are finished you can go to the author's site and sign up for her newsletter. They will then send you a link with a different ending to the book. This alternate ending is something I had thought of, but weighing both endings, I think the author chose just the right one to use in the final cut.




Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Three treat







Three titles by Scarlett Dawn From the Forever Evermore Series
18102827



King Hall — where the Mysticals go to learn their craft, get their degrees, and transition into adulthood. And where four new Rulers will rise and meet their destinies.

Lily Ruckler is adept at one thing: survival. Born a Mystical hybrid, her mere existence is forbidden, but her nightmare is only about to start. Fluke, happenstance, and a deep personal loss finds Lily deeply entrenched with those who would destroy her simply for existing — The Mystical Kings. Being named future Queen of the Shifters shoves Lily into the spotlight, making her one of the most visible Mysticals in the world. But with risk comes a certain solace — her burgeoning friendships with the other three Prodigies: a wicked Vampire, a wild-child Mage, and a playboy Elemental. Backed by their faith and trust, Lily begins to relax into her new life.

Then chaos erupts as the fragile peace between Commoners and Mysticals is broken, and suddenly Lily realises the greatest threat was never from within, and her fear takes on a new name: the revolution. 




18518269

King Cave - The safe, comfortable world of Lily Ruckler and her fellow Mystical Kings and Queens is rocked to the core by the attacks at King Hall. Not only does Lily have to kill the Commoners attacking her people, she also has to assume the mantle of leadership, and bring the surviving Mysticals to King Cave.

It should have been too much, but she is not alone. Ezra becomes her rock, her best friend, the one person who understands. As Pearl and Jack struggle with inconsolable loss, Ezra and Lily work to keep the Mys community safe in their new home, and plan a deadly retaliation.

Their friendship saves them both...but it also draws attention. Whispers. Judgment. It's not normal for Shifters and Vampires to be friends, and when a horrifying truth is revealed, their relationship morphs from unusual to unspeakable. Lily is good at keeping secrets that could get her killed. Is she willing to risk Ezra's life as well?




20495415
King Tomb - Queen Shifter, Lily Ruckler, has found solace in brutal warfare. Her bloodied fists and bared fangs fill the holes left in her memory, the blank spaces that leave her soul aching and empty. Her only pleasure is in blood; her only salvation is the relationship she has with her infant child, the baby of unknown origins who brings her solace and stability.

When Elder Harcourt summons Lily and her protector Antonio back to the United States, Lily thinks nothing unusual about the change of location. But a standard reconnaissance mission leaves her trapped inside King Zeller’s private quarters, and at his mercy. Surprise attraction rapidly turns to a battle of wills and an intense power struggle that leaves no clear victor but plenty of resentment.

They are not allowed to nurse their wounds. In order to win the war against the Commoners, the King Vampire and Queen Shifter must work together. It should be easy. The war is turning, the battle is deadly, and both Lily and Ezra love the cold cleanliness of combat. But their chance meeting has led to more than an unlikely alliance. Secrets have a way of surfacing, especially on a torn-up battlefield, and Lily and Ezra are about to re-learn all they cannot remember. If they can’t control their emotions and responses, it will be to their own ruin and the destruction of everything around them.



Rare & take


Photobucket


Heat Index 3 ☼☼☼


Such an entertaining read with a plot that breezes right along with humor, tension, mystery, and some great doses of heat between characters. Imagine that the world knows all about shifters, vampires, elementals, and mages. Now imagine how peaceful our world be with that knowledge. Especially with portions of humans and the gifted wanting their side to be the only ones.

The four groups of gifted each have a king or a queen to rule them/resolve disputes and each generation produces a new set. Once they come of age the former kings/queens become elders available to advise and assist the new rulers. The training involved to become a king/queen is extensive and sometimes dangerous. And even though they all have their abilities they are just like regular people in that some elder sets get along better than others.

I enjoyed these book so much I might just read them again back to back. I was not able to do that the first time as only book one and two are out to the public at this time. I received book three a few weeks after I finished the first two, via NetGalley in exchange for my review. King Tomb will be out this October.

I want to go on and on about the story that unfolds over the three books, but I'm afraid of inadvertent spoilers. I will say there was one plot twist that was extra twisty and had my jaw dangling open for some time. Once I got over the shock I fully approved of the way it added spice to the story. Which will be your favorite plot twist??

This is a new series and new author for me, and I am smitten!