Phoenix by Elizabeth Richards

Ash and Natalie are just starting to build a life together when things in the United Sentry States go from bad to worse. Ash and Natalie find themselves at the center of turmoil when dictator Purian Rose threatens Natalie’s life unless Ash votes in favor of Rose’s Law—a law that will send Darklings and other dissenters to a deadly concentration camp known as the Tenth.

When Ash can’t bring himself to trade Natalie’s life for those of millions of Darklings, her fate is sealed. Enter Elijah Theroux, the handsome Bastet boy Natalie once saved from her mother’s labs, where he’d been experimented on and tortured. It was his venom the Sentry used to create the lethal Golden Haze, the heart of the government conspiracy that led to Black City’s uprising and Ash’s rebirth as the Phoenix, the face of the rebellion. Elijah is back and Ash doesn’t like him; it’s clear he’s taken with Natalie, and Ash fears she may have feelings for him as well.

But Elijah also may have the answer to taking down Purian Rose for good—a powerful weapon called the Ora. Ash, Natalie and Elijah just have to escape Black City undetected to find it. But fleeing the city and finding this weapon (if it even exists) are easier said than done, and the quest could tear Ash and Natalie apart, even pushing them into the arms of others.

This enthralling sequel to Black City is just as absorbing, delicious and steamy as the first book, leaving readers hungry for the series conclusion. 

AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1rvMlmO

MY REVIEW:
5/5 STARS

This series is one of my favorites! I loved Black City and Phoenix did not disappoint!

It started right where book 1 left off and the intensity level was off the charts. An engagement, a threat, & a kidnapping all take place within a few days. Purian Rose *or Sentry Hitler* plans to send the darklings to a new place. He wants to work some and execute the rest. His main goal is to be rid of Ash and the rebellion. He wants the darklings gone and he uses each person within reach as a pawn in his own game. 

Natalie and Ash plan to escape before they are taken... Enter *Elijah* ... That's right he's back! Him and his unique looks and arrogant personality is chasing after the affection of Natalie. Not necessarily as a love interest, but his flirty persona gets him in all kinds of trouble. I never expected a love triangle and to be frank, I'm not usually a fan, but holy crap! Ash and Elijah are too much hotness for one book. Their jealousy steams up the pages and brings out all kinds of emotion. Add in sexual tension, monsters, danger, and one intense betrayal and you get an awesome book!

The story line is the 100 meets Hunger Games meets Divergent. It's action packed with a romeo/juliet romance. There are twists and turns along the way and of course a cliffy ending. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I was so consumed by the plot and intrigued by the possibilities... My heart raced, my stomach clenched, and my mind was boggled. I definitely recommend this book to all readers! The Author is a creative genius and the writing is top of the line. 

'Til Death Do Us Part by Amanda Quick

The author of the New York Times bestseller Garden of Liesreturns to Victorian London in an all-new novel of deadly obsession. 

Calista Langley operates an exclusive “introduction” agency in Victorian London, catering to respectable ladies and gentlemen who find themselves alone in the world. But now, a dangerously obsessed individual has begun sending her trinkets and gifts suitable only for those in deepest mourning—a black mirror, a funeral wreath, a ring set with black jet stone. Each is engraved with her initials.

Desperate for help and fearing that the police will be of no assistance, Calista turns to Trent Hastings, a reclusive author of popular crime novels. Believing that Calista may be taking advantage of his lonely sister, who has become one of her clients, Trent doesn’t trust her. Scarred by his past, he’s learned to keep his emotions at bay, even as an instant attraction threatens his resolve.

But as Trent and Calista comb through files of rejected clients in hopes of identifying her tormentor, it becomes clear that the danger may be coming from Calista’s own secret past—and that only her death will satisfy the stalker... 

AMAZON -> http://amzn.to/1QtnBzu

MY REVIEW

4/5 STARS

This was my first read by Amanda Quick and I was pleasantly surprised. It was rich in historical feels, had an intriguing plot line, and told the story of two unique characters. There was danger, romance, and plenty of mystery. I would call it a romantic Sherlock Holmes of the sorts.

Trent and Calista are entangled in a dangerous web of murders and have to go digging in order to save one another. They search for clues that will point them to the killer, but with each step closer, another murder arises that pulls them in a new direction. I was on the edge of my seat racking brain trying to figure out who it was... Unfortunately, I failed.

What intrigued me most about this book was Trent and his past. I loved that he was scarred and I couldn't wait to hear his story. After I got his answers though my interest in the story faded a smidge. I still enjoyed the plot, but at times it did feel drug out. We get lots of filler information... which isn't a bad thing because we need it, but it did bring the pace down a bit. I think secretly I wanted Trent to be connected to the murder. Now that would have been quite the twister... Plus, it would have put the focus on Trent where I felt it deserved to be. Don't get me wrong I liked Calista, I just found her to be a bit boring. It could have been the time period that made her more reserved and underwhelming, but something about her just didn't work for me.

Overall, I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to other readers. It was quick to pull me into another time period and Trent held me attention through the final page.. I think historical/thriller romance fans will definitely enjoy it. 

Nearly Gone by Elle Cosimano

He revved the engine and I held tight with both hands as the bike lurched forward, We zoomed down streets, leaning into the curves, wind whipping over me. I pressed into his back until all I could smell was the leather tang of his jacket, and all I could taste was the sweet thrill of flying away.

Keeping secrets is second nature to Nearly Boswell. Living in a trailer park outside Washington, DC, with a mom who works as an exotic dancer, she knows better than to share anything that would make her a target with her classmates. Only her best friends know about her obsession with the personal ads, and Nearly hasn't told anyone about the emotions she can taste when she brushes against someone's skin.

Then a serial killer goes on a murder spree and starts attacking students, leaving cryptic ads in the newspaper. Nearly might be the one person who can put all the clues together, and if she doesn't figure it out soon - she'll be next.

Big, dark, scary, and brilliantly plotted, Nearly Gone will leave you guessing until the very end.

AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/264BAHL

MY REVIEW

4/5 STARS

If I had to describe Nearly Gone using one word, I'd say edgy.

This book literally had me on the edge of my seat. The plot was so twisty and the mystery sucked me right in. I was racking my brain trying to figure out who the killer was and well... I didn't even come close. The Author is a pro at thought manipulation. She pushed us one way and was quick to pull us back. There was intrigue, romance, thrill, and danger. I wanted a romantic thriller and that's exactly what I got. 

Nearly is addicted to personal ads. Every week she finds herself consumed by words hoping to find a note from her long lost father. It's an innocent hobby that quickly turns into a dangerous game. Before she knows it she is communicating with a killer through the newspaper. Each week there is another clue and each week Nearly is too late... Another person connected to her is murdered. She seeks the help of the police only to end up as the lead suspect with a hot bad boy on her tail. The bad boy, Reece, is a narc. He is sent to follow her and figure out how she is connected to the murders. She knows what he is and vows to steer clear but finds herself caught up in his good looks and his kind heart. In order to get answers they start working together... A swoon worthy romance forms and secrets are revealed. 

I really liked this book a lot. The writing was top of the line and the story kept me glued to the pages. I found the characters to be relatable and well developed. I definitely recommend it to all readers who enjoy danger and good girl/bad boy romance. 

The Wrath and The Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

A sumptuous and epically told love story inspired by A Thousand and One Nights

Every dawn brings horror to a different family in a land ruled by a killer. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, takes a new bride each night only to have her executed at sunrise. So it is a suspicious surprise when sixteen-year-old Shahrzad volunteers to marry Khalid. But she does so with a clever plan to stay alive and exact revenge on the Caliph for the murder of her best friend and countless other girls. Shazi's wit and will, indeed, get her through to the dawn that no others have seen, but with a catch . . . she’s falling in love with the very boy who killed her dearest friend.

She discovers that the murderous boy-king is not all that he seems and neither are the deaths of so many girls. Shazi is determined to uncover the reason for the murders and to break the cycle once and for all.

AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1qGaO8h

MY THOUGHTS:
4.5/5 Stars

"Love- is a shade of what I feel."

That quote from the book pretty much sums up my feelings. 

The Wrath and The Dawn had a way of burying deep within my bones... The writing was so good and the use of metaphors and words to tell such an intense, passionate tale was captivating to say the least. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I know I wasn't expecting to fall in love with so many characters. Each one played an intricate role and each one had their own back story. 

Khalid is the King and each night he takes a new wife only to have her executed the following dawn. Shazi's cousin falls prey to this and that's when see decides to volunteer to be the next wife. She goes into the palace with a game plan- Destroy the King and get revenge. The only problem is that when she begins to lore Khalid in, she also lets her guard down. New feelings quickly arise to the surface... She tries to push them away, but the more she learns, the more she falls. Khalid isn't the only one that wants Shazi though... Tariq, her friend/romance from the past is also on a mission. A mission of protection and love. He doesn't expect to find what he does, but in the end he wants the King gone and Shazi for his own.

It was a tangle of romance, magic, and mystery. The romance seeped from the pages and the magic lingered in the background just waiting to be exposed. Shazi used her web of words to save her own life and Khalid opened his heart to stop his monster ways. Together they were a beautiful, vulnerable mess. It was such an aw inspiring tale about a tragic curse. It had life lessons hidden in the paragraphs and inspiration in the sentences.

I need more! Thank goodness the sequel releases in just a few weeks because after that ending I have a whole list of questions. What is this magic? Will Shazi and Khalid be reunited? How will Khalid protect his people? Like I said, so many questions... Surprisingly though, the book did feel complete. I was happy with how it all played out and now can't wait to see where the Author takes us next. 

I highly recommend this book! My only tip would be to nickname Shahrzad, Shazi ,from the beginning. Let's be honest, we don't know how to pronounce these names and it can be quite frustrating trying to sound them out multiple times per page. It was hard for me in the beginning, but after the nickname was introduced it was smooth sailing. I became glued to the pages and couldn't wait for more. 

Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez

“This is East Texas, and there’s lines. Lines you cross, lines you don’t cross. That clear?”

New London, Texas. 1937. Naomi Vargas and Wash Fuller know about the lines in East Texas as well as anyone. They know the signs that mark them.

“No Negroes, Mexicans, or dogs.”

They know the people who enforce them.

“They all decided they’d ride out in their sheets and pay Blue a visit.”

But sometimes the attraction between two people is so powerful it breaks through even the most entrenched color lines. And the consequences can be explosive.

“More than grief, more than anger, there is a need. Someone to blame. Someone to make pay.”

Ashley Hope Pérez takes the facts of the 1937 New London school explosion—the worst school disaster in American history—as a backdrop for a riveting novel about segregation, love, family, and the forces that destroy people.

AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1RR4ws4

MY THOUGHTS:

5 HUGE STARS

The Urban Dictionary's definition of a Book Hangover is: When you've finished a book and you suddenly return to the real world, but the real world feels incomplete or surreal because you're still living in the world of the book. To say I'm suffering from one is an understatement. This book transported me to a different time period, a different life, and whole different mind set. I was blown away by the reality within the words and gut punched by tragedy. Out of the Darkness deserves like 10 Stars it was that good! 

Naomi and her siblings are sent to live with their daddy/"step daddy" and with that comes a brutal past and a terrifying present. He is a racist, a drunk, and a born again-but not really- christian. He is a walking nightmare. He is so unpredictable that everyone walks on egg shells around him. Naomi especially because they have a past and he wants her in ways he shouldn't... While she would love to flee and never look back, she has the kids to worry about. She doesn't expect much, but when a guy sees her foot dangling from a tree her life seems to turn upside down. She feels happy and finally can see a light at the end of tunnel. Unfortunately, what may seem great slowly turns to turmoil. 

This book was unlike anything I've read before.. It should be a classic! I will say that again. This book should be read by EVERYONE... While it was based around a forbidden romance it also captured the essence of the time period and how racism touched all those around. It was hard to read at times, but life changing in the most unexpected way. It was like grasping sand... Reality slowly drifted away and I was surrounded by smoldering ash, blood, and a broken heart. 

It wasn't all tragedy though... There was a passionate romance that had intimacy and friendship and so much more. Wash and Naomi will forever be embedded in my mind. I loved their story so much that as soon as I finished the last page I wanted to start it all over. So I absolutely recommend this book! I can't wait to read more from the Author and if I could find this beauty signed somewhere I would be all over it. 

READ IT!