Saturday, December 13, 2014

Reviews 12/01

Wickedly Wonderful

Wickedly Wonderful - Deborah Blake I received a print copy in exchange for an honest review from Berkley.


Deborah Blake is a magical writer, the second book in the Baba Yaga books is even better than the first. I really liked that despite the fact that Beka is supposed to be a surfer girl she is part gypsy too. She has such an innocence and an open mind to her abilities and to learning about who she really was. I enjoyed the process of watching her discover herself and come into her own it made for a really wonderful story.

To Kiss a Kilted Warrior

To Kiss a Kilted Warrior - Rowan Keats I received a print copy in exchange for an honest review from Signet.

To Kiss A Kilted Warrior is definitely going to be on my list of top favorites of Historical Romances. The book affected me emotionally and connected to me personally. Morag is a wonderfully developed and beautiful character. I loved everything about her. I loved her heart, I loved her soul and I loved everything that she brought to the table for the readers to believe in.
What an amazing book. I can't wait to see what Rowan has in store for us next.

Razed

Razed - Shiloh Walker I received a print copy in exchange for an honest review from Berkley.

I didn't get the chance to read the first book in this series, yet it didn't seem totally necessary because the author does well enough to keep the readers informed as to what took place in the previous book. That being said the interaction between Keelie and Zane is fantastic.
Keelie is one of those girls that was easy to relate to and understand as well as feel for. It was also easy to relate and feel for Zane from his perspective too. Everyone knows how it feels to have been hurt and everyone knows how it feels to pine for someone that they think will never notice them.
I really had a great time watching the two of them find their way through the emotional journey their lives took them on both apart and together. Razed is fantastic and I felt that the Barnes Brothers series is a great addition to Shiloh's work.

No Denying You

No Denying You - Sydney Landon I received a print copy in exchange for an honest review from Berkley.

I really wanted to like this book because it sounded like the perfect story and at the beginning I thought it would play really well but half way through the book eventually lost me in the whole off and on again abusive love/hate antics between the h/h. Too many of their indecisiveness and their tempers eventually won out and ruined it for me. No Denying You wasn't a bad read it just didn't win my heart or convince me that Emma and Brant were meant to be together.

The Good Chase

The Good Chase - Hanna Martine I received a print copy in exchange for an honest review from Signet.


With as much time the author spent dragging out the story I wish she would have spent more time on the ending and making it more fulfilling still it was a great story. I liked getting to see our h/h find their way through their complicated lives which they've spent investing in their careers because they way their lives have shaped them. Some of the struggles they have in the story are bit aggravating but at the same time I felt a strong connection to the characters even with their reluctance and their mule headed determinations. The Good Chase was a good read.

In Bed with a Spy

In Bed with a Spy - Alyssa Alexander I received a print copy in exchange for an honest review from Berkley.


No broken fragile completely dependent whiny childish little girl playing the heroine in this book. Thank-friggen-God! I cannot put into words how sick I am of the wilted flower females authors continue to put into historical. I understand that the women are supposed to be more frail than modern day women but its fantastic when you get an author that brings strength, determination and spunk into her women that can keep up with their male counterparts. In Bed with a Spy is a story I couldn't put down all through the night. Alyssa is a great story teller.

Jason (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter)

Jason (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter) - Laurell K. Hamilton I received a print copy from Berkley in exchange for an honest review.

Jason was a short story that I had a difficult time getting into since it only seemed to be a very long on going conversation that didn't end through the whole thing about the same topic over and over with little resolution or change. The same issue repeated over and over got a little tiresome but it was an in depth look into Nitas love life which has been a topic of conversation for readers for a long time.

Night Shift

Night Shift - Nalini Singh;Ilona Andrews;Lisa Shearin;Milla Vane I received a print copy in exchange for an honest review from Berkley.


I liked this anthology, although it moved a bit slow for me on more than one occasion I still enjoyed each installment and I am always happy to get little novellas between new novels that keep me closer to the worlds the authors create for us readers. Secrets at Midnight was a great story with instantaneous attraction, and I enjoyed being a part of the awakening of who and what Kirby is. Magic Steals built fairly quickly although being told how bad our hero was even though we don't get to see much of that badness got a little annoying I liked Jim and Dali are great together. Lucky Charms is a great mystery with a decent complex plot for such a short story. The Beast of Blackmoor I had mixed feelings about but in the end I was happy with how it turned out despite the fact that I was so mad at Kavik's behavior so many times.





The Husband Games

The Husband Games - Jamie Farrell I received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review from the author.

I really enjoyed The Husband Games, the characters are so believable that you can imagine that the author took inspiration from real people and put them into her book. They're multifaceted and both the romance and the humor make for a really great story flaws and all (even the ones that aren't actually flaws) I think there is potential for other additions in the future with some other characters the author mentioned but overall I really enjoyed the read.

Hawk's Revenge (Lone Pine Pride)

Hawk's Revenge (Lone Pine Pride) - Vivi Andrews I received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review from Samhain.

I totally have to read the first books in this series because it totally kicks ass. I absolutely loved Hawk's Revenge, its fantastic. Vivi Andrews does a well enough job filling in readers on the backstory so that readers new to the series can understand and follow along with the plot easily enough without being too lost. I am so thrilled that Adrian and Rachel finally get the confrontation and the resolution I anticipated. Hawks Revenge is full of mystery and suspense and a unique spin on paranormal romance that you don't usually find in stories such as these. Adrian and Rachel are steamy and sweet and I like the dynamic of their personalities clash as they learned and opened to one another and found through their trials that there was more than met the eye in each of them. I love all the sweetness and the romantic interaction it totally melts the heart.

Coming Home

Coming Home - Lydia Michaels I received a print copy in exchange for an honest review from Berkley.


I really enjoyed the conclusion to this series. I was happy with how Lydia brought the same confidence and the same sureness she brought in the first book in this one which I totally loved because that's what made me love it to begin with. The second book had some snags and some conflicts but Lydia came out strong for the final installment in the trilogy. (Although I do think there is enough in secondary characters if she wanted to create some other installments about them too:)
Coming Home is a fantastic book and I was happy getting to see Evelyn find her own way as she discovered where her happiness in life truly lies. Its a great story even though I was a smidge sad about the way Lydia ended it I was content with how it all came together for a close.

The Masseuse

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I received a print copy in exchange for an honest review from Berkley.


The Body Works series has a lot of potential to be a pretty great series although I felt the the characters often came off a little too emotionally immature for my taste with all the is he or isn't he blow off kind of back and forth stuff but the steamy parts are hot and the author left quite a bit of loose ends to carry into the other novels she is going to add however I think that the books will be more like a serial than a series with the way she ended it but I liked some of the banter between our h/h and I hope they are able to "grow up" a little bit by the next installment. I look forward to seeing what the author has in store.

Only for You

Only for You - Beth Kery I received a print copy from Berkley in exchange for an honest review.

I thought the intimacy and the overall banter and mentality matched both the characters to eachother quite well I only wish they were more mature and that the reasons behind why they did what they did felt more believable. I mean half the time I forgot why they even had to hide away to begin with because I felt the threat wasn't even there. It would have been better off if it had just been left as two at a retreat that hooked up instead of the bad guy angle added to the plot. The sex was decent and all in all I enjoyed the read, I just wasn't very impressed.

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Reviews 11/30

Full Throttle

Full Throttle - Julie Ann Walker She Needs a Hero...

Abby Thompson didn’t sign up to be the daughter of the President of the United States. The position was forced on her by the small matter of her birth. Preferring a quiet life of study, she’s content to leave the politics and the international intrigue to her father. Unfortunately, the most powerful man on the planet is sure to make enemies. When a group of armed thugs takes her hostage half a world away, demanding the U.S. government release prisoners in exchange for her safe return, she fears her father’s policy of “not negotiating with terrorists” means she’ll never see the shores of the Potomac again. Luckily, there’s one glimmer of hope. His name is Carlos Soto. And though she abruptly ended things with him years ago, she knows now he’s the only man who can save her…

Black Knights, Inc. to the Rescue...

Carlos “Steady” Soto has taken part in his fair share of dangerous missions working at the covert government defense firm of Black Knights Inc. But nothing prepared him for the emotional rollercoaster he faces when he’s tasked with rescuing the only woman he ever loved—who also broke his heart. Racing against time and outmaneuvering a group of trained terrorists will take everything he’s got. Plus there’s the heat simmering between them which is threatening to ignite into an inferno. While ruthless enemies stalk them, they must learn to trust each other again. Even if they do make it out alive, will Abby turn her back on him…for the second time?


*

  I received a digital copy from Netgalley and Sourcebooks in exchange for an honest review.

Full Throttle is a book for those that have been invested in the authors works and the series from the beginning because there are components that link to previous books. Although Full Throttle wasn't quite believable compared to other novels the author has written I would say that it should be placed in the YA/NA genre if there wasn't the added adult and sexual content because our characters mentalities are geared closer to a teens level of maturity. Despite the serious plot there is quite a bit of comedy and silliness to keep you entertained. Full Throttle a good story to enjoy.



The Shifter's Choice

The Shifter's Choice - Jenna Kernan They took his humanity…but left a hero's heart.

Feisty and street-wise, Private Sofia Touma has too much at stake to risk being distracted from her duty to the marine corps. That is, until she's assigned to help the compelling and disabled veteran Johnny Lam. More than a war hero, he's also a werewolf who can't shift back to human form. And Sofia is quickly, inexplicably drawn to him. Unlike Sofia, Johnny understands the risks involved in her loving a monster. But with each day bringing them closer together, he isn't sure he'll be able to continue to do the honorable thing…or protect her from the enemies intent on keeping him a werewolf forever.


*

  I received a digital copy from Netgalley and Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.

Picking up this book I seriously couldn't get over the fact that the guy on the cover reminded me of the guy who plays Johnny Tram on Fast and Furious. Maybe its just me but Johnny Lam ... Johnny Tram...  photo maxresdefault.jpg
He pretty much played the part of the character for me through the book. It was interesting to be a part of the dynamic relationship between Johnny and Sofia because they both found something redeeming and healing in eachother despite their own "issues"
What's more is that I respected the fact that flaws and all they found a way to accept themselves and the other. I liked that message.
Although the disabled vet thing is a little played out for me these days the characters and the fact that I imagined the Johnny Tram guy in the part saved it for me.

How Sweet the Sound

How Sweet the Sound - Amy K. Sorrells A Southern Novel of Second Chances

From a distance, the Harlans appear to be the perfect Southern family. Wealth and local fame mask the drama and dysfunction swirling through their family line. But as the summer heats up, a flood tide of long hidden secrets surface. Devastation from a rape followed by the murder of two family members brings three generations of the Harlans together on their pecan plantation in Bay Spring, Alabama. Chief among them is Anniston, who by the time she turned thirteen thought she’d seen it all. But as her heart awakens to the possibility of love, she begins to deal with her loneliness and grief. This tender coming-of-age tale, inspired by the story of Tamar in 2 Samuel 13, shows how true healing and hope comes only from God. Though our earthly family can wound and disappoint, our heavenly Father brings freedom to those long held captive through His mercy and grace.


*

  For those that don't realize it, this book is a christian story so there is quite a bit of religious banter and such within. That being said How Sweet the Sound is a good story I actually found myself enjoying. I liked the characters and the emotions within. I felt the author did a decent job expressing herself and the faith of her characters to her readers and was able to describe their surroundings in a more emotional than visual perspective but it fit the story well.


Heir Of Earth

Heir of Earth (Forgotten Gods) - Rosemary Clair Heir of Earth is fantastic. I really hope the author expands on this series because there is so much cool and unique creativity she inlays within the mythology and she does a great job creating a story with likable characters and enough depth to keep you wanting to know them better.

Noir

Noir - Nathan Squiers I was impressed with Noir. It was written very well, the emotions and the world are created strongly and are well detailed to the point that your emotions get sucked into what is happening and what the author explains Xander is going through. Its a great read, its fantastic and different than other paranormals I've read in a long time.

Outlaw Wolf

Outlaw Wolf (Volume Three - The Oath) - Mason Lee I would suggest starting with the first book just so that readers that actually invest in the series have a better grasp on the story. However to me it didn't really feel like a biker gang series than it did a bunch of bullies who rode motorcycles. I have to admit that there was some content that made even me who isn't very squeamish feel uncomfortable. Also I would say that the books might need to be sorted into the LGBT category.

Light in the Gloaming

Light in the Gloaming (Book One) - J.B. Simmons I really enjoyed Light in the Gloaming. I liked that the author does a great job exploring humanity and their emotional conflicts such as good verses bad. A small group of good trying to confront a strong bad trying to take over. I feel the book has a lot of potential for being so much more and I hope that the author answers many questions they posed in the first book in the following installments. It has the potential to be a really great series.

Flesh Worn Stone

Flesh Worn Stone - John Burks Flesh Worn Stone felt too much like a saw movie put into a novel so I would say that if you have a stomach for gratuitous violence and gore with no real redeeming point to be found this is a good novel for you.

Creatus

Creatus - Carmen DeSousa I think its sad that Kristina becomes so obsessed with her rescuer that she allows all her emotional issues to overcome her and that she depends on this being for her happiness, yet there is an underlining kind of bravery in the decisions she makes that leads her into bringing the mysterious stranger back into her life. Although in a small way I do feel like her choices are a bit selfish not intentionally but in a small way they are I do like how she and Derrick come together and how their relationship unfolds.

The Murder of Adam and Eve

The Murder of Adam and Eve - William Dietrich I received a print copy from the author and a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed The Murder of Adam and Eve. I love the fantasy aspect of the story as long as it isn't taken too seriously and as long as you don't look too deeply into all the literal aspects I think its a well developed, well written story with plenty of sci-fi/fantasy fun to be found. I think it could have been so much more expanded on if the author had written it as an adult novel but its still easily entertaining for both Ya and Adult novel followers.

Too Far Gone (A Hanover Brothers Novel)

Too Far Gone (A Hanover Brothers Novel) - HelenKay Dimon I received a digital copy from Netgalley and Berkley in exchange for an honest review.


Too Far Gone is a really great story. Even though I haven't read the previous books in the series that fill in the background info and explanations as to how Walker and Mallory found themselves where they are now I still really favored their relationship and their interaction with eachother. Its honest its straightforward and its sexy. I love the heart and the realism that Helen has brought to the characters because it gave me a deeper connection to who they are as individuals and as a couple. I really liked that. I hope to add this book to my print collection in the near future. I really enjoyed Too Far Gone, it was a really great read.

My Cowboy Homecoming

My Cowboy Homecoming - Z.A. Maxfield I received a digital copy from Netgalley and Penguin in exchange for an honest review.

I was unsure of how to rate My Cowboy Homecoming because I didn't know when I got the book that it was an LGBT story even though those aren't my favorites yet it was written strongly and it was a good book so I went with an even three.
My Cowboy Homecoming had a kind of Brokeback Mountain feel to it with the whole conflicting emotions and priorities / family verses their intimate feelings.
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Two cowboys in a world where they feel the overwhelming pressure from outside problems surrounding their families and how it affects what they think and feel and how they act and finally how they overcome those obstacles.

Miles from Kara

Miles from Kara - Melissa  West I received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley and Penguin.


I wish I had gotten to read the first book in the series so that I knew what led the characters to where they stand in this installment however the author gives you some information so that even if you start on this book first you won't be too lost on what is going on. That being said I found myself really feeling for them, especially for Kara herself.
Its easier to empathize with her if you've been in her shoes before when it comes to mistakes in friendships and relationships and judgement calls. I think that's why I liked her because its easier to relate to her when you have a grounding in those feelings and conflicts she finds herself having to deal with.
Miles from Kara is a good book and I'm look forward to reading the first book in the series so that I can get the whole story. I would suggest the same for other readers as well because the story itself feels more like a serial than a series.

Secrets of Moore House






I received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley and Belle Books.

Secrets of Moore House was a great story but I felt it was too short and rushed. I wish there had been more information and more detail because I enjoyed it so much. I really tend to favor Susan Kearney's writing because its typically unique and different than most stories that I read. I wish that more had been explored because there was so much fascinating information in the setting and the plot that I wanted a lot more from it but in no way does the story disappoint. Secrets of Moore House is mysterious and fascinating and carries plenty of excitement.

Cowboys for Christmas

Cowboys for Christmas - Liz Talley, Kim Law, Terri Osburn I received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review from Penguin.

Cowboys for Christmas is a fantastic anthology with three authors that write individual stories involving separate couples involved in the same event. First is Tyler and Claire who had a hook up in the past reunite again, the second is about Georgia who finds herself a rescuer in Reed after getting stranded, and the third is about Catherine who is conflicted about the coming wedding and the groom she's planning to spend the rest of her life with. Its a great mix of stories, its romantic and full of heart, perfect for the holidays and the rest of the year but you can easily imagine curling up in front of a fire bundled up in a blanket. I really enjoyed it.

The Job: A Fox and O'Hare Novel

The Job: A Fox and O'Hare Novel - Janet Evanovich, Goldberg Lee I received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley and Random House.


The Fox and O'Hare series reminds me a lot of Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone series. You get minor love interest and long on going mystery tale centered around Agent Kate O'Hare and the adventures she finds herself in. Each story is unique with each installment but in the end they all feel the same. I enjoy the character interaction and the personality of each person that makes an appearance. Its fun, its light and just enough to be entertaining. I've enjoyed the series so far and I look forward to reading more of Kate's adventures in the future.




Her Lone Wolf (X-Ops)

Her Lone Wolf (X-Ops) - Paige Tyler I received a print and digital copy in exchange for an honest review from Berkley.

Her Lone Wolf is the second Ops book in the series and even though I feel reading the first book would give some added background information I don't feel its totally necessary to understand the story or characters since the author does well enough to fill you in on it without being repetitious.
Her Lone Wolf is a paranormal romance with plenty of action and suspense to keep readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. Her Lone Wolf a thrill ride adventure full of excitement. I love Dani and Clay together, they're hot, they're sweet, they are a perfect pair that are well matched.

The Demon Count Novels

The Demon Count Novels - Anne Stuart I received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley and Belle Books.

The Demon Count Novels was a decent mix of two stories however I didn't particularly care for the female leads in either installment. I thought the writing was strong, I liked the attention to detail but the mentality of Charlotte and Luciana was something that irritated me on more than one occasion. However I still liked the stories even with the clashing personality between myself and them.

A Cursed Bloodline: A Weird Girls Novel

A Cursed Bloodline: A Weird Girls Novel - Cecy Robson I received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley and Random House.


A Cursed Bloodline is the fourth book in the Weird Girls series and I highly suggest starting at the beginning because I spent a good amount of time being confused as to what happened in the past and what took place that led us to where we are now in the book. I really believe that Celia is an amazing character with plenty of strong traits that I found intriguing and more than a little admirable. I think her passions and her hopes are something that the author has done a wonderful job creating. A Cursed Bloodline is a fantastic story.

The Informant

The Informant - Susan Wilkins I received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review from Pan and Netgalley.

The Informant is a story that really impressed me right from the beginning. Its a book I would definitely add to my personal print collection. The Informant is a fantastic story unlike any other I have ever read. Susan Wilkins is a phenomenal writer and I can't get over how well she's written this story. The Informant is gritty, its raw its got an edge that most stories don't entail our heroes are flawed, they're rough, they're not good guys and yet there is a draw that keeps you wanting to know them, wanting to understand them, wanting to root for them. Susan has done a fantastic job writing a story that will capture you from beginning to end.




































Life's Too Frantic

So I haven't been around to blog since late November early December, I hope you all are doing well. I am keeping busy wi...