Review(Mini): Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Review:
I am a sucker for a good Greek God/Mythology story so it is no surprise that I really enjoyed this book. I also love a strong female lead so Alex really filled that role for me through the whole story. Quite simply, she kicked ass and never let anything get her down. No matter how awful things got or no matter how many times life just threw things at her she fought back. That's my kind of main character. Plus, Aiden? Come on. I don't even have to explain anything there.

I will say this though. I spent the majority of the book going "this is Vampire Academy" and it's true, it's just the story. Trainer turned love interest that's forbidden. I'm not going to begrudge it though, because let us be honest here....THE STORY WORKS! It's a good story line, it gets me every time especially when you have character you can really get behind like Caleb and Aiden and Alex. I know I've read the story before but I liked this twist. It added it's own elements like the gods and still gave me a story I loved. I can't fault it for that. A great book takes a story and makes it unique and for me Half-Blood did that. I'm looking forward to the second one!-My Opinion-Buy it!

Review: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Review:
This was really a remarkable book. It was so raw and dark that it was so hard not to feel for Melinda. Although at points it was hard to tell exactly what had happened over the summer, eventually everything gets ironed out so that you understood what she was going through and how horribly everyone was handling it. I thought it was a real eye opener to exactly what kids go through in high school, mostly because I can see this happening to someone. That is a sad but very true sentence.

I obviously had some strong emotions towards different characters. I felt horribly for Melinda and wanted to punch most of her former friends because I can't see how anyone would treat another person like that. Plus her parents didn't help AT ALL. You'd think they'd do something, but they didn't. I think the reason this book is so popular is because it pulls these emotions right out of you and that isn't something easily done. I would recommend this book to anybody I know simply because it is beautifully written and something anyone can really understand.- My Opinion- Buy it!

Review: Shield of Fire by Boone Brux

 

Review:
I'll start with what I liked about this story. It was set in an obviously old world, medieval if you will, but isn't so obvious that I sounded like a pirate in my own head while reading it. (you know, "hoist ye colors" and "arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh" with lots of thou and thee thrown in) I wasn't overwhelmed with figuring out what what was being said that I missed the story, and you'd be surprised how many books set in a similar time can do that to someone. Also, what I would consider almost as important as the world a book is set in, is the secondary characters and this story is full of great ones. From demons to humans to friends, I though the cast around our two hero's was equally entertaining. Ravyn and Rhys as a pair I think are great, they compliment each other nicely, her being the naive but powerful and him being the experienced warrior that can teach her to use her powers. 

However, I do have some issues with Ravyn. I started to right some sentences about her just now and stopped myself. I get that this is set in a time in an ancient time and she grew up in an abbey with nuns, all of it I get. I just wanted more from her. I wanted her to be kick ass when she found out how truly powerful she was, and that she wasn't evil in fact she could OWN evil. There are points where I want to shake her, HARD and just make her do the things she was born to do. I thought knowing something about her past would will her to do more in the story, and I was left wanting a lot more from her.

That being said I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend you giving it a shot because it written beautifully and I can crush on a book guy like Rhys all day long! -My Opinion-Borrow it

Review: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Review:
This is now one of my favorite books that I have read this year. I fell in love with Celaena from page one and it never wavered. She is a kick-ass chick and she absolutely LOVES IT! Add her smart mouth along with her smart brain and she had my smiling at certain scenes like a lunatic! The only thing I felt I needed from her was back story. We heard some of it, like her assassin background, but not all. Specifically, her past before the King of Assassins found her and her mystery first love Sam. Those were question I had to find out before the end of the book, but alas I did not.

The two men in this story were intriguing too. Obviously the crown prince, Dorian, was fascinating because of his obvious contrasting personality to his barbaric father and the fact that he is a single prince(um...HELLO!) plus the fact that he never seems afraid of Celaena at any point. Choal on the other hand really held my attention. A lord that gave up his title to become a guard? Who is so serious but obviously hides passion behind his rules? Comes off like he hates her but then has moments of coy and heart with her? I wanted to know more about him than I did anyone in this story!! I am absolutely team Choal now! The prince isn't bad but there is just something about this captain that pulls me in.

This story was obviously a character driven book for me. Yes, the scenario that they were in was interesting and much different than anything I've read before. However, the characters are what really moved the story. You could feel their emotions on the page and they had their ups and downs all the way through. This book made me care about these fictional people and that's why I loved this book so much! -My Opinion-But it!

Review: Stolen: A Letter to My Captor by Lucy Christopher

 

Review:
I'm not sure how I feel about this book....

Let me back up and say that as a story it is phenomenal! It was captivating, intense, romantic, kinda sketchy and whole lot of polarizing, all wrapped up in a letter form. There are times where my emotions were all over the place and I wasn't sure what I really wanted to happen. All of my thoughts seem to be center around one question:

Do I like Ty?

I still don't know that answer.

Did I feel bad for him? Yes.
Was I rooting for him? Yes.
Did I wish a happy ending for him? Yes.

But he kidnapped her...

That's a problem for me.

I don't know if I can let that go so I can picture a "happily ever after" for them if the story turned out differently. There's just a ling of crazy that, once crossed, you can't come back from, and I can't decide if Ty crossed it. No, on second thought he did cross it, but it's just so complicated.

For me, that's what makes this book amazing. It makes me question something that should be very clear. I shouldn't be okay with him taking Gemma, but I think I am? And I think that internal conflict as a reader is why everyone should red it, it made it amazing. -My Opinion-Buy it!

Review(Mini): Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden

Review: 
After reading this book, I can’t help thinking this would make an amazing video game. I can just picture you getting to pick one of the characters, going through everything they did….and it would be EPIC! To be completely honest, I only picked this book up to complete a reading challenge with Aussie authors and I am so glad I did because I really loved it and can’t wait to read the rest of the series. 

It was raw, it was real and it kinda rocks your world a little bit. There is so much action in this story that I am getting the feeling I am not giving the story is sentimental due, mostly because there are some heart wrenching scenes that you feel so bad for these characters. You get caught up in their emotions of loss and pain, all of it being written so lovely by the author. If I had to describe it I’m not sure how I would describe it first, action or emotional? There are definitely both, and they are so prominent that one can get lost in the other. The characters attached themselves to me as people going through so pretty horrible things but the story called to me as a reader and really raced me through this book. I really enjoyed it and I would recommend it to anyone! -My Opinion-Buy it!

Review(Mini): Midnight by L.J. Smith

 

Review:
What I liked most about this book was we got different stories melded into one. You had the "Damon's a human and now in hell" and then the demonic attack that they left Matt and Meredith to take care of, it just seemed like a lot going on in one story but didn't feel overwhelming. Plus, we got to know so many characters MORE!

It was kinda nice to see Damon squirm a little bit. It was also surprising to see he wanted to stay a vampire, especially what we know about his past. I just never thought if he got the opportunity he'd turn back....

I've always been team Stephan,but this story did shed a different light on him that I didn't think was possible and in a good way!!



OH! One more thing!

Japanese themes? Very cool. Really interesting to get some different lore involved!-My Opinion-Borrow it

Review(Mini): Nightfall by L.J. Smith

Review:
I accidentally read the third book in this series thinking it was the third book of the first series so it kind of spoiled a little bit of it for me.

Regardless, this series is really starting to bore me. Of course Elena isn't dead, we wouldn't have a story without her and her two boyfriends. Plus, Stephan is really just a jackass at this point and im not buying he really loves her anymore. Damon on the other hand has proven that he cares for Elena and would do anything to protect her. I was always on Stephan's side in the first series but this one really changed my mind.

I still can't stand a lot of Elena but at least she isn't too crazy anymore....maybe number two will change my mind in this second series. -My Opinion-Bypass

Review(Mini): Dark Reunuin by L.J. Smith

 

Review:
Um.....whoa?

Talk about your left turn....but I don't want you to think that's a bad thing per-say. This one was just dark all the way through and left me a little frightened to move forward. I usually like a good dark, gritty story but this was just so different from the rest of the series that it took me off guard a bit.

The other thing odd was Bonnie picking up the narration with Elena being absent. After 3 books it was just weird hearing it from someone else, but it was obviously necessary considering we wouldn't have a narrator. I really just think the dramatic shift is what's throwing me off, not that the book wasn't good....so don't listen to my review and try it for yourself. -My Opinion-Borrow it

Review(Mini): The Fury by L.J. Smith

 

Review:
If I could only give you one reason to read this book, I would tell you read it for the ending. It was tragic, intense and so filled with emotion that it really turned the whole series around. Of course, it also made me want to pick up #4 immediately, so DAMN YOU!

Elena is a new vampire and she goes CRAZY with bloodlust. She doesn't even remember who Stefan is! For that matter, who anyone is until reality starts to come back a few days later. The most tragic part of the whole thing was the fact that she never gets to deal with her emotions towards Damon. We had been flirting with this since the very first book about what she felt for each brother....and she never got to at the end. I'm not sure how we are going to deal with this going forward, but I hope somehow she can get closure with at least how she feels about it, and not get lost in what could have been. -My Opinion-Borrow it

Review(Mini): The Struggle by L.J. Smith

 

Review:
Things went a little askew for me in this book. I loved the first one's characters and stories but this one fell a little flat for me.... I did still like it.

Elena is who bothered me the most. She seemed whiny and weak, and I like my heroines strong and kick-ass. She also couldn't PICK A BROTHER! I don't usually mind a love triangle, but this one grated on me quite a bit. I almost felt like she gave up on Stephan when he went missing and said "oh well" here's Damon. I'm used to girls who do anything for the ones they love not forget them.

I loved the other characters that were brought into focus more, and that the story moved well, but was disappointed in the main characters and their actions. -My Opinion-Borrow it

Review(Mini): The Awakening by L.J. Smith

 

Review:
So, I watched this TV show for a couple seasons and I'm finally getting around to reading the books and I DON'T KNOW WHY I WAITED THIS LONG. They are so much better, and I love the characters ever more! First of all, the story is both unique and familiar at the same time. There are the very vampire lore things abound added to things that are very unique like the vervain and the ring Stephan wheres.

Then we have Elena. Typical young girl meets sexy vampire but then there is the whole doppelganger-Stephan-was-in-love-with-Kathyerine-who-turned-him thing. It was really captivating and interesting. I fell in love with Damon as well, he is just a broken soul who needs love, not a horrible (ok, too horrible?) villain! -My Opinion-Borrow it

Review + Blog Tour + Giveaway: Promise Me Light by Paige Weaver

Promise Me Light

Author: Paige Weaver

Series: Promise Me #2

Available: September 24th, 2013

Cover Design: Sarah Hansen of Okay Creations

Goodreads

Blurb:

The epic conclusion of New York Times bestselling book “Promise Me Darkness”

“I’m darkness, Maddie. Stay away from men like me. You’ll only get hurt.”

At one time my life was simple. Easy. But that was before the war. Now I was no longer an average college student. I was a survivor. A woman living in a ravaged world. My future was not bright and my life was far from perfect. The war had taken so much from me… but it wasn’t finished yet. It wanted more.

It wanted my heart. My soul. The one person I couldn’t live without.

It wanted Ryder Delaney. My best friend. The bad boy. The one person who could fight like no other and love me like no one else. I watched him walk away one hot summer day and I prayed he would return. I needed him like I needed air to breathe and water to drink. Without him I was lost. A light without her darkness.

Until he returns, I’ll wait for him. And I believe he will return because love is powerful…

And so is the light calling him home.

Get it here:

Amazon

iTunes

Smashwords

Review: When I finished the first in this series, Promise Me Darkness, I was left with such a book hangover from Maddie and Ryder's world that I was scrambling to get my hands on the ARC to Promise Me Light. I couldn't be more ecstatic after finishing a series! There is so much left to be told after the first one, that when the second one began there were thousands of questions I had in my head that needed to be answered. Was Eva okay? Can they rescue her? Is the power going to come back? What about the war? What about the baby? I literally could on for pages with all the things that needed to be taken care of after that cliffhanger in Promise Me Darkness. I'm not going tell you, obviously, what we find out but let me tell you.....my heart hasn't stopped since page one of Promise Me Light.

Stubborn, badass Ryder and hardheaded Maddie have been through what seemed like hell and back but their journey to happily ever after seems like an impossible feat even after overcoming so much. This book will take you on a roller coaster of emotions from depressing and dark all the way to euphoria and simple bliss. I literally cried from heartbreak and joy in one book and that doesn't happen that often. These two have both history and baggage, but the one constant that they have is each other. If I ever doubted if they would be together forever or if they really had true love, Promise Me Light changed my mind forever. These two characters fought to make me as the reader love them, even when I wanted to give up on each of them. There were several moments that I wanted to smack Ryder or shake Maddie severely, and I think the other characters in this story would agree with me. However, after going through this whole journey inside their heads, I finally got it after everything was over. I understood their love and what it meant to have the other in their lives. It wasn't sappy or fairy tale, in fact it was quite the opposite and that's why I believed in their romance way more than I believe in most books relationships. They knew each other 100%, grew up with each other and fell in love. That's what a relationship is suppose to look like, even if everything around them was a reality I don't think I would have ever imagined.

I'd be remissed if I didn't say that the supporting characters are what really make this story pop. Janice, Roger, Gavin, Eva, Brody, Cash and even the terrorists/other strangers really took this story from a dystopian novel to a real emotional and rounded story. I would have loved to hear more about what was happening outside of their farm and what the war was doing to their home, but that would have lessened the story between Maddie and Ryder so I understood. If the only thing I have to complain about is that I wanted more story, what more could I possibly ask for? If I had to give you one reason to pick up this series, it would be that your never going to guess where this one is going, and if that isn't a reason to pick up a book in a bloated genre, than I don't know what a reason would be. - My Opinion- BUY IT!!

About the author:
Paige Weaver lives in Texas with her husband and two children. Her love for books became a love for writing at a young age. She wrote her first book as a teenager and continued writing throughout the years. Encouraged by her husband, she finally decided to self-publish. Her debut novel, Promise Me Darkness, was released in April 2013 and quickly became a New York Times and USA Today bestseller. Her second book, Promise Me Light, will be released in September 2013. She is currently working on other novels to be released in 2014.

Check her out:

• website http://www.authorpaigeweaver.blogspot.com/
• twitter https://twitter.com/AuthorPWeaver
• facebook https://www.facebook.com/AuthorPaigeWeaver
• goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7034900.Paige_Weaver
  

The first book in this series, Promise Me Darkness is on sale NOW for only 99 cents!!

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Blog Tour: God's Warriors by L.P. Hidalgo

God’s  Warriors

Series-Children of God’s

By- L.P. Hidalgo

Expected Publication Date-September 18th, 2013

Goodreads

Blurb:

Jae Salvador is a college student dealing with the death of her older brother, Jason. But, her life changes when he comes back to deliver a cryptic message: the war of Heaven and Hell is upon us. It is up to Jae and her brother, Joel, to find God's warriors and along the way; they discover that their family is unlike most others. They are descendants of Son's of God who were put on earth in preparation for the war. However, Jae wields more power than anyone could imagine. She alone will decide the outcome of the war by convincing the Catalyst to choose Heaven over Hell.

Will she succeed in her quest for salvation or will she unleash Hell on Earth?

About the author:

L. P. Hidalgo is the author of the “The Children of God’s” series, the captivating story of the war between Heaven and Hell with the heroine, Jae Salvador and her brother Joel, lead a quest in search of God’s Warriors, which is set to debut on September 18th, 2013.  

L.P. Hidalgo on her off time is a freelance graphic designer, mother of two children, and devoted partner to her fiancé. From an early age she began writing, which throughout adulthood turned into passion.  The artistic writer was encouraged by family and friends to write her compelling stories.

Check her out:

Goodreads:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7065693.L_P_Hidalgo

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/LPHIDALGO?notif_t=fbpage_fan_invite

Blog:

http://www.Authorlphidalgo.blogspot.com

Review: Summer of Frost by L.P. Dover

Goodreads

Blurb:
The Land of the Fae is strong with all four courts banded as one, but uncertainty still remains as they all work together to end the dark sorcerer’s evil reign. Sorcha—the one and only Winter Court princess—has a secret, a secret that she has enjoyed keeping for the past six months. When a much awaited announcement brings her to the Spring Court, and face to face with the man in her dreams, will she be strong enough to keep up the façade of her icy exterior, or will she melt into his arms like she does in her dreams?

After formally meeting Sorcha at the Winter Ball, Drake—Summer Court prince and army leader—knew there was a fiery passion underneath her winter skin, a passion he wanted desperately to ignite with his own. However, with her frigid responses toward him he’s decided to keep his distance, except how can he when his dreams feel real? Seeing her again only ignites his interest, and this time he’s not going to let his arrogance or her frosty heart stand in his way.

Through unexpected tragedy, Sorcha discovers the one thing the dark sorcerer has spent his whole existence trying to protect, but what makes it more difficult is that only one of the Four is strong enough to retrieve it. The tides have now changed. With Drake’s help, will Sorcha find what she’s searching for? Or will the dark sorcerer beat them to it, shattering all hope of finding out the one thing that could save the Land of the Fae … how to destroy him?

Get it here:

Barnes and Noble

Kobo

Amazon

Smashwords

Review: 
If I told you I wasn't excited for this third installment in the Forever Fae series, that would be a complete sham. I have been waiting to see if or when Drake, the eldest Summer fae Prince was going to come to the party and Summer of Frost did not disappoint. We first met these two and felt their pull toward each other in the second book and that's where we pick up this book with another visit to the Winter Ball, this time focusing on Drake and Sorcha, the only princess of the Winter Court. The attraction is instant, but it takes a while for these two to truly come together...at least in the real world. You see, Sorcha is a dream walker and can enter others dreams and interact with them,  which she does every night with Drake, but he doesn't know that these passion filled and secret brimming dreams are very real for him and Sorcha. What will happen when he finds out? And of course what plans does the Dark Sorcerer have to get a hold of Sorcha's powers to complete his take over of the Land of Fae? You will find out in Summer of Frost!!

I really love this series and really can't get enough, but I'll be honest Drake has interested me from the very beginning so I was thrilled with him getting his own book. There are so many different reasons to find him fascinating beyond the fact that he is this hunky warrior future King of Summer. He is passionate, fair and HE IS A DRAGON! What? Dragon? Yes, dragon! That was just so awesome to add to the mix of the ever growing number of fae creatures in this world! It's just another in a long list of really cool powers these characters seem to be adding to the mix. This ranks up there with Kalen's wolf pack for me and it was a really fun way to solve the problems that arise for these characters.

Now as much as I could blather on and on about Drake all day long and never stop, Summer of Frost is very much Sorchas' story. She is another kick-ass female to add to all the others and I am thrilled with that. I love that she can beat up the men and handle that spear of hers like nobody else. She is in control of her future and has the stubbornness to keep everything on track. She can be more hardheaded than sometimes Drake wants her to be, but so do the other women in Forever Fae so she fits right in with Calista and Meliantha!

Outside of the two main characters, my favorite part of this story was I felt the change from the first two. The Dark Sorcerer was in this story much less than the first two and that was refreshing. It wasn't the same thing repeated (i.e. betrayal-capture-rescue-happily ever after) We switched it up and made it more about finding a way to kill said Sorcerer instead of just rescuing another princess from his grasp. Plus, I felt Sorcha made the most direct of sacrifices for the good of the whole land in this one and that was something completely different. I'm not saying the other two lacked sacrifice, but this was deliberate and calculated versus being forced upon in a moment of crisis. It can be tough when you start to get this far in a series because you don't want a story to be redundant or not be unique and Summer of Frost excelled in so many ways.

I would have loved to hear more about Sorcha and Drake in this story, but I say that after all of these books. There's just not enough time or pages to write it all down, I'm sure. However, there was one quote that caught my attention that I wanted to know more:

" I love you, Drake. I spent my whole life living in my mother's shadow until you came along. You brought me a love so scorching yet tender that I was bound to be melted by it. "

THAT right there I wanted elaborated on. We never really talked about her relationship with her mother or even her brothers. What makes Sorcha so tough and stubborn? What would make her say something like that? I would have loved to hear a story that made her hide her harp playing abilities and why she is so hell bent on being able to take care of herself and fight the men.

I can not wait to read the conclusion to the Forever Fae series and I will be so sad at the same time. I have really developed a love for these characters and the world they live. Even though the formation of a new Land of Fae will mean the end of a series I would consider one of my favorites, I am looking forward to Brayden and Ariella's story and the epic conclusion!- My Opinon-Buy it!

Review(Mini): Everbound by Jodi Ashton

 

Review:
I thought I'd have to sit here and lament another girl falling for the bad guy.

I thought I'd have to complain about another love triangle in a YA story.

I thought I'd have to read about another stupid girl doing something equally as stupid.

Apparently I was very very wrong.

I'm not even sure if Nikki knows Cole is in love with her. Maybe that's his fault for being the tricky, sarcastic character he is, but I find it very clear that the only thing "pure" or simple about Cole is that he really does love Nikki....maybe.

After the nuclear bomb that was the ending of the last book, I didn't think we could get any spicier, but again I was wrong! I'm learning that this author isn't going to go with convention and I LOVE THAT! I haven't read a book in a long time that could keep me on my toes and not be predictable and this story is just that. I am really looking forward to the third one....in a year?!?!? Not. Cool. -My Opinion-Buy it!

Review(Mini): Everneath by Brodi Ashton

 

Review:
This was a really cool story that runs along the lines of the Greek myth of Persephone. Now, although the stories are similar, what made this book great was that it wasn't a copy with new names added it. It can stand on it's own as much as it can stand side-by-side with the myth. My only problem with it, was Nikki herself.

She kind of made her bed on this one and I found it hard to sympathize with her. I know Cole is tricky, and he convinced her to go to the underworld but it was her choice. She already had the awesome boyfriend and these relationships that she is now having to say goodbye to, and I'm suppose to feel horrible about it? I did feel bad for her, but I just kept thinking, you did it to yourself. I thought the story was awesome and the character fascinating so I'd highly recommend reading it, there was just something off about the character, but it doesn't distract from everything going on. -My Opinion-Borrow it

Review(Mini): Incendiary by Amy A. Bartol

 

Review:
Let me just say that Brennus creeps me out. A LOT. An undead faerie? Seriously? Just really creepy. On top of the undeadness, he is supper stalkerish when it comes to Evie. She doesn't need another man damn it! Definitely not someone like Brennus, so I really don't understand that she almost invites it in....but I get it.

She is compassionate. She is the epitome of a good person (angel/whatever) and she cares about people. That's great, it really is but to sacrifice something for Brennus just seemed wrong to me. I like sacrifices to be involved with people I seem as redeeming, and I can't see it in this case. Good to a fault, I get it, and I do love Evie. I think she is an awesome character and a heroine I can really get behind, but sometimes those characters do things that make you go "why?!?!?" and this was one of them! -My Opinion-Buy it!

Review(Mini): Indebted by Amy A. Bartol

 

Review:
Uh, oh....

I think I fell in love with the bad guy....

That's not suppose to happen!!! I went from thinking "How could Evie and Reed not be together forever??" in the last book to "Oh snap, what's going to happen now?" in this one! This isn't a bad thing exactly, because it means this series has kept me on my toes at all times. Just when I get comfortable with something, here comes a wrench in my perfect little story.

It was kinda fun to be all over the world in this. We bounced from China to Ireland and just all different places, and it was great. We got out of the small world we were in and expanded to show the global reality of the angels and clans everywhere. I thought it took the story to another level and really made you understand that this isn't something localized we are talking about but more of a huge cosmic relevance.

Overall this was a really great step for this series and I can't wait to read more! -My Opinion-Buy it!

Review(Mini): Intuition by Amy A. Bartol

 

Review:
Things just got a whole lot more complicated for Evie BUT I thought we did wrap up this book nicely, while still leaving a few things that need to carry on towards the other books. My only real problem with this installment was WHERE DID REED GO FOR MOST OF IT?!?!?!? We started off great, there was that HOT scene while they were training, then POOF he's gone for most of it. I was really looking forward to how their relationship would evolve but he was missing. Not. Cool.

Now, getting past Russell's horrible accent, he definitely made it interesting in terms of who Evie was going to be with in the end. However, like most love triangles, you knew that there really was only one person that Evie should/would/will end up with the right person, but it got a little murky there for a while.

I really liked this book and I will absolutely continue reading about this world, so I would recommend it!! -My Opinion-Buy it!

Review(Mini): Inescapable by Amy A. Bartol

 

Review:
Oh look, another angel book I'm reading....I never thought this would happen but here I am again enjoying one! Of course, your not really sure where we are going at the beginning considering she doesn't even know what she is but I think that's what I enjoyed the most, the mystery. When she meets Reed and there is indication of something more going on and a secret he seems to be hiding, it really grabs you.

Now, I will admit that getting through the first part of this book can be a challenge, but I encourage you to plow through to get to the second half because it picks up tremendously and you won't regret it. Maybe it was a necessary evil to set up the whole scenario but it was just a really slow read but it definitely gets better, way better! At first I wasn't really thrilled with Reed but he grew on me and eventually I really liked him. The biggest surprise, however, came in the form of Russell.I thought we were getting into love-triangle territory that I wouldn't like but because his character was so strong I didn't mind it all! In fact I think he brought Reed to a better light and really made him have to shine in order to win her over, so this is a very rare occasion that I didn't have a complaint about the two-boy struggle.

Can't wait to read the second one! My Opinion-Buy it!

Review: Stir Me Up by Sabrina Elkins

Goodreads

Blurb:
Cami Broussard has her future all figured out. She’ll finish her senior year of high school, then go to work full-time as an apprentice chef in her father’s French restaurant, alongside her boyfriend, Luke. But then twenty-year-old ex-Marine Julian Wyatt comes to live with Cami’s family while recovering from serious injuries. And suddenly Cami finds herself questioning everything she thought she wanted.
Julian’s all attitude, challenges and intense green-brown eyes. But beneath that abrasive exterior is a man who just might be as lost as Cami’s starting to feel. And Cami can’t stop thinking about him. Talking to him. Wanting to kiss him. He’s got her seriously stirred up. Her senior year has just gotten a lot more complicated….
Contains mature content and some sexual situations. Suited for readers 16 and up.

Get it here:

Amazon

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Review:
I was super excited when I found I was going to get an opportunity to read and review this book! Just from reading the synopsis I knew it had the potential to be an emotional filled roller coaster, and I was not disappointed.  Cami Broussard is not your typical High School senior. She works herself to death at her father's French restaurant so that she can become a chef after high school, even if that isn't what he wants her to do. However, Cami's world is rocked pretty hard when they get an addition to the household. Julian Wyatt is a 20 year old marine back home after a tour in Afghanistan because of an IED explosion that almost killed him. Losing a leg and facing a life long struggle with the injury, he moves into his half-aunt-half-adopted-mother house and straight into Cami's life.

These two characters kept me on my toes the whole time. At first, I didn't know where this was going because they seemed to hate each other! Julian was mean and moody, Cami was aggravated and trying to hold back her temper and I didn't even know how these two would even match let alone make a great pair. However, that all changed with one hard throw of a muffin into Julian's face. I thought that these two characters where a great match AND I loved how they didn't just fall in love with each other instantly. They grated on each others nerves for a good portion of the beginning and that made it seem more real. Cami was this great mix of hardheaded but still compassionate young women that really made me love her as a character. There were times I wanted to shake her and make her open her eyes to what was going on right in front of her nose, but that's what made me love her so much as a character. She wasn't perfect but she had a good head on her shoulders and really knew in which direction she wanted to go, even it was a vague idea.

Julian, on the other hand, seemed to have everything happening in the opposite to Cami. His accident halted the direction his life was taking him and in his eyes regress. He didn't know what he was going to do or where his life was going from there because everything was so messed up. You really felt for him throughout the whole story, maybe some moments more than others, but he felt like someone who was a little lost and whole lot alone. Cami filled that void for him, however, brilliantly. She was kind and caring when he needed it but also pushed him more than anyone else in the story. I thought he moved on because of the way she acted toward him. From beginning to end I really thought this story moved in a really great flowing way. You never got the sense that any of this electricity you felt between Julian and Cami was forced together and the ending, for me at least, was just perfect. I'll let you find out for yourself what happens, but I just thought it was one of the greatest endings I have read in a very long time :) I can not wait to see if we hear more from Cami and Julian, but go out and buy this one on October 1st, it will be worth it!!- My Opinion-Buy it!!


About the author:
SABRINA ELKINS, author of STIR ME UP, has also worked as a journalist, movie copywriter and prep cook. She grew up in Vermont, graduated from USC, and now lives in Southern California with her husband and three kids.
Sabrina loves hearing from fans and encourages you to visit her website, sabrinaelkins.com, and find her on Twitter @sabrina_elkins, Facebook, and at Goodreads.










Check her out:

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Review(Mini): Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis

 

Review:
I don't think I'm smart enough to have read this book....I'm not even kidding either. I recently wrote a review on my blog about a Sci-Fi book that did an amazing job about making everything clear and concise. Well, this book did NONE of that for me. I was just confused through most of it.

The Chronicles of Narnia work because all the underlying messages were told by fantasy characters and kids. Kids just like you and I in the middle of a war that is recognizable (WW2), something we all learn about in school. These kids take a very brave situation and make it look like it is something we could do if called upon. Out of the Silent Planet doesn't do that. I almost feel like we took a religion bomb and tossed it into Ender's Game and called it a day. It just doesn't work for me and I almost put it down and walked away, but I know this is considered a great work of literature and I didn't want to down it because I just can't understand it. -My Opinion- Bypass

Review(Mini): The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

  

Review:
Meghan: Girl, I knew I was right in book 2 that you were growing a back bone. Well, done.

Ash: Welcome back, you had me worried.

Puck: I'm sorry, I feel like you feelings get crushed a lot in this series, but at least you bounced back.

Grimalkin: You cheeky bastard, your more loyal than you let on!



I actually felt really bad for Meghan in this one. She got her prince back and all she wanted to do was go home, see her family, you know NOT have to fight anymore. The fey, however, had other ideas. They get sucked back into another battle with the Iron Fey and has to overcome huge obstacles to take on the Iron King to finally end these attacks. Meghan grew on me even more in this one and is really turning into a heroine I could love. Plus, Ash is back to being everything I hoped he could. The only downside? I wish Puck could get his happily ever after... - My Opinion- Buy it!

Review: Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Review:
 
:O



I can't even think after finishing this book. Can a finale book be both perfect and awful at the same time? let me explain what I'm thinking. I just read 600 pages of ups and down, twists and turns, tragedy and triumph, and I feel like I was just dragged through the emotional mud of all these characters. Nothing was left out here. I don't have a single question about how things ended or where these people went from that moment. Everything was packaged in a neat little bundle and handed to me on a silver platter for me to read and say "yep, that happened". That was wonderful. I am so happy that this is how a I feel at the end of a series. In short, it was perfect.

The "awful" part was I feel like this book toyed with me a number of times. I cried. Multiple times. Just to have it throw a curve ball at me and knock those feelings out of me again. THAT'S NOT FAIR!!!! You can't toy with people like that! There were so many things that I want to sit here and type about but won't because they would be HUGE spoilers but I felt horrible a number of times while reading this and had to put it down and take a break. I am not one to normally get overtaken by a book (I'm not a crier, period, let alone just from a book) but this one completely took me by surprise and knocked me around a bit by the end of it.

The ending was shear beauty and I couldn't have taken a better journey with all of these shadowhunters. I wish there were more coming from this series but I will have to be satisfied with what comes next from different characters in a different time and know that this trilogy was simply, perfect.-My Opinion-Buy it!

Review(Mini): Endless by Jessica Shirvington

 

Review:
I might be the only one who says this, but I was completely satisfied by the romance in this installment. I never thought Linc and Vi should be together, I always thought she should just drop it and move and I think we finally have. It's not that I have anything against Linc, I just never saw him and Vi as a great couple and would much rather see her move on.

That being said, I thought the whole story was very emotional and riveting. I wasn't on the verge of tears like I saw some other reviews, but it was engaging and definitely played off the roller-coaster of emotions that were going on both around these characters and inside Vi's own head. I thought the story line really got interesting in this one as well and really kept the action moving along nicely. I'll be interested to see how we are going to wrap all of this in the next book!-My Opinion-Buy it!

Review(Mini): Emblaze by Jessica Shirvington

 

Review:  
Phoenix is killing me a little bit. I spent two reviews saying how Lincoln shouldn't be with Vi at all and that how could you pass Phoenix up for him...then he goes and does all this! I am still not convinced that Lincoln and Vi are meant to be together, though we got perilously close to that happening in this book. I just can't see it, I really can't! I don't see how they can become this one amazing couple, it's like they don't complete each other. Where as, Phoenix and Vi make a better whole than two separate halves.

I know, I know. Phoenix is the bad guy, I'm not suppose to like him, especially after everything he has done to Vi and plans to do to the world. I just can't help it alright! Stop giving me that look...

No seriously, after all the blow ups in this book and intensity I can't wait to see what's next and who Vi is going to end up with in the end, and yes I am still team Phoenix. :P-My Opinion-Buy it!

Review(Mini): Enticed by Jessica Shirvington

Review:
Now we're talking.

I liked this one so much more than the first, with on exception.....COME ON VIOLET, LET LINCOLN GO! I wasn't convinced in the first one that they were ever meant to be, and I'm still not now. I don't know how such a strong female lead could be suckered into trying to get the attention of a man, but it always happens in books like this. Even though that little hiccup thoroughly annoyed me, it is still engaging even if I just want to shake her sometimes(my poor kindle is probably going to break one of these days).

The action picked up dramatically which was great. My favorite part was getting more angels involved in the story and getting more information about them, the fallen and the plan from here. Plus, having Lincoln get a little love interest that sparked Vi to get a little(or a lot) jealous was funny. Maybe I'm the only one that thinks those two are just not going to end up together and shouldn't, but at least it's entertaining! -My Opinion-Buy it!

Review(Mini): Embrace by Jessica Shirvington

 

Review:
For someone who has repeatedly said that I don't usually like angel series, I do seem to be reading an awful lot of them lately.....I think for this book, what kept me interested in these angels was the way they were unique. They had a twist (and no I won't spoil it for you) that was interesting enough for me to look past the generic angel and see a whole new story for them.

Things went a little sideways for me regarding the love triangle between Violet, Lincoln and Phoenix. First, let me say I did love Violet, she was the type of heroine I enjoy (i.e. kick-ass, strong with a little vulnerability). My problem lies with the fact that I'm not buying the fact it IS a love triangle. At first Violet is all into Lincoln, but after everything that occurs there is a distinct turn where I am not sure she even likes Lincoln that way anymore. Lincoln, on the other hand, to me seemed he was never in love with Violet AT ALL.....I think he cares about her but not love. Phoenix and Violet to me are the couple and Lincoln is the friend she used to crush on but I can understand where the lines are blurred, because some of it is a little askew when it comes to their relationships. Not that it's a bad thing, it definitely keeps you guessing throughout.

I think people will enjoy this a lot, especially if you love stories about angels!-My Opinion-Buy it!

Review: Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

 

Review:
Poor Will :(

I feel like I'm being toyed with in this one. How can I pick between Jem and Will for Tessa???? It's just not fair! I felt horribly for Will when we found out his secret wasn't the truth and he spent his whole life thinking that. I know that is a terrible and vague sentence but I don't want to give anything away because it is what the entire romance plot point feeds off of the entire story.

I loved seeing more and more Shadowhunters and Downworlders come into play in Clockwork Prince as well. It really is my favorite part of this entire world, the races. The Lightwood family is thoroughly intriguing and I really hope Gideon is going to stay around because I think he makes a great fit with the rest at the institute. Of course, the surprise are really what made this installment shine for me. I never would have guessed half the stuff that went on and THAT ENDING! WHAT?!?!?! Oh man, I have to stop myself before I give it all away!

I will say this, however, the one thing that bothered me was the lack of a villain throughout the whole book til the very end. Yes, we know we have to find Mortmain but he is never in this one. We spent 500 pages worth of story talking about him and not seeing him or interacting with him. That let me down a bit, but not enough to say it wasn't AWESOME!! -My Opinion-Buy it!

Review(Mini): Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

 

Rework:
Is there really much to say about Cassandra Clare's stories? They are really just awesome. The world has so much depth, the characters are so easy to fall in love with and the plot keeps you guessing from chapter to chapter. I had "ah ha" moments several times, I wanted to either kiss or punch someone more than once and I was so torn between Jem and Will that I'm still not sure which one I love more.

There is always a dark and gritty edge to these books and it belongs there. Everything isn't all unicorns and rainbows, especially when your talking about demons and angels and everything else in their world. There is always just the right amount of tragedy mixed with action and tenderness. I'm not sure I liked this one better than TMI but it was still fabulous and I am really looking forward to Clockwork Prince!-My Opinion-Buy it!

Review: Taboo Kisses by Gracen Miller

 

Review:
I suggest reading the description of this book before reading because it is hot, it is everything it says it will be, and it was awesome. And I'm not just talking about the sex either.

Gabriel and Maximus make an adorable pair on their own and you can almost feel the love they have for each other coming off the pages of this book. Yes, they are intense and bold and any other word you can think for two not-a-shadow-of-a-doubt males, but the way they know what the other is thinking or needs personally made my heart melt to both of them. The way that connection transfers to Sameya is remarkable and amazing, though the way they start their seduction was a little.....well unorthodox to say the least. After the kidnapping, for lack of a better term, I completely buy that they all belong together. Their all stubborn, intense, passionate people that would do anything for the people they care about. I've read a few books now that involve this kind of love triangle and have not bought the connection of all three characters, but here I do, I can see that they are meant for each other and I loved it.

My only complaint was a minor one, to be honest. I anticipated a fight towards the end when they were confronting the Empress' brother and his rebellion, and it just didn't happen. I think it would added another element to the story and been good for it but I still can't find any reason not to give this book 5 stars because I'd love to read more stories about these characters and world!-My Opinion-Buy it!

Review: Seduced in the Dark by C.J. Roberts

 

Review:

Wow...


I've been staring at this review screen for ten minutes with just the word "wow" at the top. I don't really know what to say in this...and that's gotta be a first.

This book was 10x the amount of screwed up than the first, but I don't want you think it was bad(obviously I gave it 5 stars, so I know DUH!) The roller coaster that I just went through to get to the end of this book was sometimes more than I could handle. I felt her pain, his pain just everybody's pain throughout the whole thing to the point where you just want to reach in and either hug someone when their crying or slug them when they are doing something you ate.

To make my point flat.... you just FEEL in this story.

You feel for everyone and it doesn't stop, not once, to let you take a deep breathe.

That's amazing....

I am not even sure if this review is even coherent because my head is spinning having just finished it, like :looks at watch: 30 minutes ago. Liv for me grew so much in this story, she became even stronger and I didn't even think that was possible after book 1.

Is Caleb redeemed? Maybe, you can judge for yourself because I am still having a hard time with what he did regardless of what ended up happening.

This book is just awesome, and I encourage you to pick this series up if you can handle the kind of subject it covers.-My Opinion-Buy it!

Review: Captive in the Dark by C.J. Roberts

Review:
I'm not sure how to write this review...

Let me first say that this book is FANTASTIC! I was riveted from page one to the end and the characters are fascinating but screwed up. It's the perfect balance of F'ed up situations with raw feelings that will make you "aw" with compassion but wrinkle your nose in disgust at the same time. It makes you feel so many different things that it is hard to not love this book.

That being said, my hesitation writing this comes from the subject matter. At the end of the day, he kidnapped her. Not just kidnapped either, kidnapped for the sole purpose of revenge against someone who did the exact same thing to him.

THAT'S MESSED UP.

There is no other way to put it. It is NOT OKAY. I felt for Caleb because of everything he went through but to do this was not the way to seek revenge He took this poor girl into this by force and as much as I really want to him to get his happily ever after, this was unforgivable.

I loved this book but I just can't love the character. If your not squeemish with the kind of topics this book is about then read it, because it really was an awesome book. For me it just lacked a hero, or maybe a hero that you can truly stand behind. -My Opinion-Buy it!