Monday, March 30, 2015

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.

Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of
those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.

But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?
 
 
AMAZON LINK - http://amzn.to/1BFpORf
 
 
MY THOUGHTS:
4.5/5 Stars

A mix between The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Mystic City by Theo Lawrence...

I truly believe that this series will be the next craze. I haven't heard anything about a movie yet, but I will be waiting impatiently to hear those magic words. It definitely deserves it! The book was fast paced and all consuming. The Author transports us to a unique world and paints vivid pictures in our mind. It's almost as if the words are crawling off the pages right in front of our eyes. The plot wasn't always pretty, but the ugly is what created a magnificent story.
 
Red Queen was one of those books that just sucks you in from page one. I found myself addicted to the words and struggling with closing the book at a normal hour. I craved the ending and holy crap! I never expected such a huge plot twist. Can you say palm on head, jaw on the floor reaction? It was an epic betrayal and a total mind blower. I was mad, but it made the story that much better.
 
Overall, I recommend this book to readers of all ages. I applaud the Author and desperately beg for the next book.

Sunday, March 29, 2015

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven Review

The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park in this exhilarating and heart-wrenching love story about a girl who learns to live from a boy who intends to die.
Soon to be a major motion picture starring Elle Fanning!
 
Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.

Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister’s recent death.

When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.

This is an intense, gripping novel perfect for fans of Jay Asher, Rainbow Rowell, John Green, Gayle Forman, and Jenny Downham from a talented new voice in YA, Jennifer Niven.
Includes a PDF Help Line Resource Guide and a Note Read by the Author.
AMAZON LINK - http://amzn.to/1xqJWez

MY THOUGHTS:
4.5/5 Stars


Violet struggles to live life to the fullest because she has the weight of guilt and loss on her shoulders. Finch thinks about death on a daily basis and struggles with mental illness. Together they embark on a unique journey of finding the beauty in their state and their connection to one another.

The early chapters were a bit slow and at times I felt like I wouldn't make it to the end... However, I am so glad I continued on because as the story progressed, it grabbed onto my heart and squeezed tight. It was a beautiful, heart breaking story. The characters were intense and their romance was truly one of kind.

All the Bright Places is one that sticks with you long after the last page. It is a raw and intense plot that will leave you feeling vulnerable and exposed. While it had the cutesy YA additions, it also had a deep set message behind it. I was consumed by the romance and mystery and in end ... my heart was shattered into a thousand little pieces.

It's not a light read and it's not for those who like a perfect happily ever after, but I definitely recommend it to readers of all ages!

Thursday, March 19, 2015

The Contradiction of Solitude by A. Meredith Walters Review

You may notice me, but you will never know me.
I prefer it that way.
I am the daughter of a monster.
Born from blood and lies.
Dead before I have truly lived.
But Elian tells me that I'm different.
He tells me that I'm beautiful.
That I'm an enigma wrapped in irresistibly complicated skin.
Elian says that he loves me.
These words terrify me.
I can't trust love.
Or hope.
Or truth.
Because I fear the beast inside.
It threatens to drown Elian and his sweet, unconditional love.
It's a beast that will destroy everything.


**Reader Warning**
There is NO warning. I won't tell you if there's a HEA, a cliffhanger, or a love triangle. Just read it and find out for yourself but please don't post spoilers.
The fun of a story is figuring it all out!

*Note- this is a psychological thriller and nothing like my previous books!**
 
MY THOUGHTS:
5/5 Stars


This book goes straight to the top of my 2015 Favorites list...
Talk about a psychological thriller!! This one picked me up, carried me to a dark, crazy world, and eventually blew me away. My mind was blown and my heart was shattered into ten million tiny little pieces time and time again.

I honestly feel like my mind was violated. I learned to trust and that was my downfall. The darkness slowly consumed me and I couldn't see anything in front of me. The story crawled deep within my soul and began controlling my thoughts and feelings. I was manipulated by fictional characters... How silly is that? I felt pain, but in some sick, twisted way... The pain set me free.

If you liked YOU by Caroline Kepnes... You will LOVE this one. It is similar, only better. The writing was flawless and the story was captivating. The Author gave us just enough info to rob us of our sanity and keep us guessing the whole way through. You may think you know what will happen in the end, but until that last page closes... nothing is certain.

Sunday, March 15, 2015

She, Part 2 by Annabel Fanning Cover Reveal

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She, Part 2
by Annabel Fanning
Cover Reveal
Synopsis:
Are you ready?” he asks.
He holds out his hand and I take it without hesitation.
“Abso-fucking-lutely.”
Gemima and Logan are crazy about each other. In She Part 1 they fell in love. What comes after love?
Well, they’re back in Paris, and they have a lot to look forward to!
Logan’s birthday…Meeting the parents…Gemima’s promotion…And a night that will change their lives forever.
She Part 2 is an erotic tale about being in love. Combining romance, humour, and sex, this smart-talking duo will leave you saying, “Oh mon dieu!”


Excerpt:
Excerpt (unedited & subject to change)

My afternoon is slower than my morning. A fault in the IT department means that the internet is down, making the online research that I wanted to do for my two new projects impossible. I delight in hearing my phone ring an hour before leaving time. Please be someone that’ll talk my ear off for the next hour, I beg, as I answer in my usual receptionist-style.
My wish is granted: it’s Logan!
“Look up,” his voice purrs.
I do, expectantly, and I’m not left disappointed. He’s standing the doorway between reception and the large room in which my cubicle sits. He is simply perfection. Automatically I stand as he walks over to my desk.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, feeling giddy by the surprise.
He bows his head as his lips brush softly against mine. “We’ve got a meeting,” he smiles at me.
“No, we don’t,” I stammer. Do we?
“Yes,” Logan insists, “look, it’s right here…” He retrieves a pen from my desk tidy and proceeds to write in my work diary under Monday, March 3rd:


Meeting with Logan Leary at 4.30PM


“You are good at drawing love hearts,” I tease him.
Laughing, he says, “There’s not much to it, baby.” Then he takes my hand and (no doubt having been in one before during previous business meetings with Amelie) he leads the way to one of the meeting rooms, aptly choosing the one room whose blinds are down. Butterflies fill my tummy as he pulls me inside and changes the sign on the door from Vacant to Meeting in Progress: Do Not Disturb.
He shuts the door and then turns to look at me, his eyes filled with longing.
I try to ignore the feelings that have abruptly risen in me; such amorous emotions are not welcome at my place of work. I try to be cool and casual as I say, “So, this meeting…what did you want to discuss?”
“Your many curvatures,” he says.
My eyes widen, and I can’t keep the smile from my face. “Oh? Those?”
“Yes, I’ve been thinking about them all day,” he tells me.
“What about them in particular were you pondering?” I ask, twirling around and showing off my curvatures.
“Well…” he smiles.
I hold up a hand to stop. “Damn, I’ve forgotten my pen; I can’t take notes,” I sigh. I walk over to him, a smile playing on my lips, and slip my hand into the hidden breast pocket of his jacket where I know he keeps his phone. I pull it out, and ask, “You don’t mind if I take notes on here, do you?”
“I could have just handed it to you,” he points out, grinning.
“I prefer getting it myself,” I say honestly. I call up Siri and command her to start taking notes. “Now, Mr. Leary, my many curvatures…what about them?” I ask, the phone held high in my hand, taking note of our conversation.
“Well,” he begins again, “since you are so good at your job I’m sure you’re familiar with the concept of less is more. I really do believe that in the case of your curvatures, the less fabric there is covering them, the better.”
Oh, Logan! “I see,” I nod. Don’t swoon, Gemima. Not yet! “Uh, just so I can fully grasp your meaning perhaps you could give me,” I pluck a number from thin air, “three examples?”
Logan smiles at me, enjoying our play with words. But before he feels able to touch me, here at my place of work, his eyes dart to the four corners of the room and he asks me cautiously, “Are there security cameras in here?”
His words hold so much hidden promise! “I don’t know,” I say, my mouth suddenly dry. What’s he going to do to me? Whatever it is, I can hardly wait! “I don’t think so, but if there are you can bet Amelie will be knocking on the door momentarily.”
We wait a few seconds; there’s no knock.
Logan’s smile returns. “Three examples?” he checks, and I nod again. “Alright, let's begin here…” His hand rests on my left hip and runs south over my thigh. “And here…” He does the same thing on my right side. “And here…” He takes a step towards me so that we’re flush against each other, and then runs both hands from the small of my back down, over my backside.
His hands glide smoothly over the fabric of my skirt, his touch turning me on. As he speaks and strokes me our eyes pour into one another’s, our lips only inches apart.
We wait another few seconds; still no one interrupts us.
“That’s three,” I say breathlessly.
“No, no,” he chuckles. “They count as one.”
Oh? I grin at him and raise an eyebrow. “Two more then,” I permit.
“Very good, Samuels,” he says. ”These count as one as well,” he tells me, his hands skimming over my breasts. “And these…” His hands trail along my collar bone, over my shoulders and down my upper arms. “And then there’s here…” This time he uses his lips to kiss the curve in my neck.
“That’s already uncovered,” I point out. Uh, shut up, Gem!
“So it is,” Logan murmurs, kissing my neck again, more fervidly. “And this curve…” He kisses my cheek. “And this one…” My nose. “And here…” My eyelid.
All uncovered also, I don’t say.
“And, of course,” he smiles against my lips, “these curves…” He kisses my lips, and I’m undone.
I throw my arms around his neck and cradle his head, kissing him with gusto. A moan escapes me as our tongues crash forcefully against one another. He’s come here, to my work, and seduced me entirely. Mmm, he tastes so delicious, his passion and fervour for me evident in the way he holds and kisses me. This definitely beats actually working!
“Before you distract me completely,” Logan breathes, sounding as flustered as I suddenly feel, “I feel I should add that there is one more curvature that I happened to know from previous experience that I cannot access when this sexy skirt of yours is on.”
“Curvatures uncovered. I understand,” I tell him. “You’ve made your point. You’ve made it very well, Mr. Leary.” I look down at Logan’s phone and tell it to stop taking notes: it’s heard quite enough!
“What would you like me to do with the notes?” his phone asks me.
My eyes grow wide. Technology talking back to me is still so weird!
“Send them to my mother,” Logan jokes.
“Sending to your mother,” the phone says in a monotonous tone.
I blanch. Shit!


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About the Author:
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I'm sort of international in terms of my parents' mixed-nationalities and where I've lived, but I think of myself as British. I spent my childhood in an idyllic Scottish country town. Now I live in Perth, Western Australia.
The idea for SHE came to me at the beginning of this year. I was working on a website as a freelance editor and I saw several posts about writers required for short erotic stories. My curiosity was sparked!!
I wrote the first two pages of SHE and something clicked within me. I knew I wanted to (had to) keep writing it and a plot formed in my mind soon after.
Because this was my first piece of erotic writing I had anticipated that SHE would be a short story, but once these characters got going they could not keep their hands off of each other
Very soon I surpassed the 100k mark and I had so much I still wanted to write, and so decided to cut SHE in Parts 1 & 2.


Where to find Annabel Fanning:


The Cover:
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To celebrate the awesome cover reveal of She Part 2 by Annabel Fanning, She Part 1 is one #sale!! Fall in love with Logan and Gemima before Part 2 is released on May 2nd. 1-click now for $1.99, sale ending soon!! Be quick!!
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Monday, March 9, 2015

Lone Wolf Rising by Jami Brumfield

Book 1 in the Winters Saga Series begins with Lone Wolf Rising
Revenge has deadly consequences. Seventeen year old Rebecca Winters’ main goal for ten years has been to graduate high school and take down the people who killed her parents. When she stumbled upon a werewolf pack in the middle of Phoenix, she knew she’d found a way to make her dream come true. Instead of getting vengeance, an act of war has put her into a position of power and forces her to put her thirst for family justice on a temporary hold.
He is duty bound to protect her. Lucian (Lucky) Lamont is a member of the Protectors, an elite supernatural police force who works for the Authority. Their main goal is to keep humans in the dark about the creatures who live among them. Lucky is assigned to protect and manage Rebecca, despite her refusal of help. His cover is simple; he poses as the dutiful ‘pretend’ boyfriend in order to keep an eye on the new alpha wolf.
She is his mate.
Gabriel Black though taking his pack back from the witch who was chosen as the new alpha would be simple. He thought wrong. His entire world was turned upside down the moment he met Rebecca at the Authority Council meeting…and he was hooked the moment he kissed her to prove she wasn’t dating his best friend, Lucky.
It’s like being torn between two lovers.
Rebecca is pulled in hundreds of different directions while she attempts to find a way to survive the supernatural world, protect her family, and discover who massacred her entire pack days before her first transformation. She doesn’t have time for romance.
But the heart wants what the heart wants.
And the wolf gets what the wolf wants – or so her alpha believes. While Rebecca manages to keep her head above water as she unlocks political and family secrets which could destroy her, she loses sight of the most important people in her life and one of them pays the ultimate price.
  
AMAZON LINK-
http://amzn.to/1EMu9aH


MY THOUGHTS:
4/5 Stars

*RECIEVED A COPY FOR HONEST REVIEW*

Be prepared to get sucked into a world filled with paranormal creatures, lots of suspense, and two HOT book boyfriends!

This is a story about a girl turning werewolf and finding out she is the new Alpha. With that comes tough decisions, intense training, and two guys of the opposite nature battling for her heart. One a dark and brooding werewolf, The other a sweet, protective guardian. Her Alpha likes one, she likes the other and the deeper she is sucked into her new world, the more conflicted she becomes. The only thing she knows for sure is that her family comes first.

I really enjoyed this story a lot. It had many unique twists and turns that kept me turning the pages. The love triangle was the romance I desired. While, I usually can choose a team to be on, this one threw me for a loop. I LOVED Gabriel, but Lucky was also so sweet it was hard for me to not like him. I think I secretly want Savannah and Lucky to end up together and Rebecca with Gabriel. They just seem like the perfect pairs.

Overall, Lone Wolf Rising was really good! It was different and the characters and their secrets sucked me in. I wanted to know how everything was going to unfold and I was hoping to see who ended up with who. However, if I'm being honest... The beginning was a bit slow and I did skim some of it. I found that at times it was too wordy. Yes, the details helped me picture the story in my mind, but they also tugged at my connection to the plot. I like a fast paced easy read... This one was a bit slower because the Author tries to paint a vivid picture of the unique world. I know some people like this, but for me I like less detail and more action.
The second half was definitely where the story picked up and earned the 4 stars. It was faster paced and became hard for me to put down.
There was a hint of a cliffhanger, but it just made me crave the next book in the series.

I recommend it to all readers who enjoy paranormal romance. 

Thursday, March 5, 2015

Burn Baby, Burn Baby by Kevin Craig


Seventeen-year-old Francis Fripp’s confidence is practically non-existent since his abusive father drenched him in accelerant and threw a match at him eight years ago.

Now badly scarred, Francis relies on his best friend Trig to protect him from the constant bullying doled out at the hands of his nemesis, Brandon Hayley—the unrelenting boy who gave him the dreaded nickname of Burn Baby.

The new girl at school, Rachel Higgins, is the first to see past Francis’s pariah-inducing scars.

If Brandon’s bullying doesn’t destroy him, Francis might experience life as a normal teenager for the first time in his life. He just has to avoid Brandon and convince himself he’s worthy of Rachel’s attentions.

Sounds easy enough, but Francis himself has a hard time seeing past his scars. And Brandon is getting violently frustrated, as his attempts to bully Francis are constantly thwarted.

Francis is in turmoil as he simultaneously rushes toward his first kiss and a possible violent end.

MY THOUGHTS:
5/5 Stars


I am so surprised that this book isn't getting more attention... It is definitely along the lines of The Fault in Our Stars and those other YA books we all love. While being intense and emotional it also brought romance and charm to the table. I loved the friendships and I swooned over the new romance. It was definitely a 5 star read that I recommend to all readers! 


Francis is teen boy with not only physical scarring, but also emotional scarring. He is uncomfortable in his own skin and struggles with living a normal teenage life because he is constantly bullied. Every day he walks into school just waiting to be made fun of or beat up. When a pretty girl stands up for him he can't help but think it's a joke. He wants to keep her at arm's length, but eventually caves and gives in to temptation. Together they embark on a beautiful journey of love. It isn't always easy though and the bullying grows out of control. Can their love survive? READ TO FIND OUT!!!

Burn Baby, Burn Baby was a gut wrenching story about learning to see what's inside and not just judging from appearance. Rachel helps Francis break out of his shell. She shows him that even with the scars he is handsome and worthy of love. He has set backs, but eventually learns to be happy that he is alive.

The Author's writing was great! The story didn't become boring once. It was fast paced and kept me on the edge of my seat. I'm not a huge fan of male pov, but with this book it worked wonders. I connected with Franics and was able to feel every deep emotion he was feeling. 

I really loved the story and I wish more people would give it a read. I promise once you start reading you won't be able to stop.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Tight by Alessandra Torre Review

I was happy in my small town. In my life as a single, thirty-two year old woman. I had a good job, wonderful friends, my independence.

I also hadn't got laid in three years. Hadn't been on a date in two. Had stopped counting calories and wearing makeup... a while ago.

Then Brett Jacobs waltzed in. Caressed my thigh, dug rough fingers into my hair, lowered his soft mouth to my skin, took sexual control of my mind and stirred it all around with what he packed in his pants. He flipped my quiet life upside down and crawled into a place in my heart I thought was dead.

The issue is his secret.
The issue is her.
The issue is that I don't even know she exists, and he thinks she's dead.
The issue is that shit is about to hit the fan and I can't hold on to him tight enough.
  


Amazon Link- http://amzn.to/17OuRaP

MY THOUGHTS:
5/5 Stars

I really cannot say enough wonderful things about this Author. When I am in a book rut, her books are always quick to pull me out.
Tight did just that!

The story is about a woman that has a one night stand with a mysterious man... She doesn't expect to be swept off her feet, but she is. Everything she believes in is thrown out the window. Her world is turned upside down by a man with secrets. She knows he is hiding something major, but she never expects his secrets to save her from a life in hell.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this book, but I never would've assumed I'd be pulled into a gritty story that consumed my mind and emotions. I was so addicted that I stayed up way too late to finish it all in one night. So yes, it was that good. It put fear in my bones and love in my blood. I couldn't have asked for a better darkish romance. While the material was twisted and intense, it was beautiful and inspirational. No matter what obstacles Riley faced she believed in hope, in Brett, and in their love. She was strong when others would've caved to weak. I connected to her and felt for her and begged for her happily ever after.

My only complaint would be that at the beginning while the Author is setting up the story, it is a tad slow. Be patient because once Kitten comes into play your mind will be rocked.

I highly recommend this book to readers that like a little edge in their romances.

Sunday, March 1, 2015

Dragon's Lair by Chantal Fernando Review

The first in a new sexy romance series from bestselling author Chantal Fernando about the bad boys of the Wind Dragons Motorcycle Club and the women who fall in love with them.
When I found my boyfriend cheating on me, I did something stupid.
Or should I say, someone?
Because of that mistake, I’m now stuck in a world I don’t belong in.
I’m a law student. They’re criminals. He’s the vice president of a motorcycle club. I’m a good girl with a strict upbringing. He’s my ex-boyfriend’s brother.
And I’m screwed.


AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1E80zfz


My Thoughts:
5/5 Stars


If you like MC books, Dragon's Lair is the book for you!
The author did an awesome job creating a story about life in the biker world. She pulled reader's in with her captivating words and her sexy bikers. I devoured it one word at a time and in the end... I wanted a cut of my own. 

This was a story about the MC Vice President having a one night stand with his childhood neighbor... He doesn't expect to get her pregnant, but when he does, he takes full responsibility and lays his life on the line to protect her. He has baggage and secrets though and is afraid of what Faye will think once they are revealed.

Faye was a firecracker... I loved her sass and the way she didn't take crap from the others at the club. She kept the guys in line and stood her ground when confronted by Dex's ex flings. I thought it was great how she connected with the guys... and I loved how Dex became jealous over it! The way he got aggressive and possessive was intense and let's just admit it, HOT!

I fell in love with Faye and Dex's romance. It wasn't easy and it wasn't always beautiful, but it was raw and real and sexy!


What made this story unique to me was the fact that we got the love story of Dex and Faye...  and we also got Faye's story when it came to living at the club, interacting with the guys and ladies. I loved the bikers... They made me smile and at times, laugh out loud. Each one had their own personalities and each one was equally likeable. Tracker was my favorite, but Arrow... Vinnie... & Rake were all charming in their own ways. I definitely would love to read their stories.

I highly recommend this read to all MC fans!!