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

Barnes and Noble

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:

Goodreads:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7222674.Sabrina_Elkins
Website: http://www.sabrinaelkins.com/
Blog:  http://www.sabrinaelkins.com/myblog.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elkins.sabrina
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sabrina_elkins

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!

Review: The Collector by Victoria Scott

 

Review:
Who doesn't like to see a bad boy squirm?

I know I do, and this is the perfect book to find it. Dante is your typical "spawn of hell" kind of guy, the one who is all bad-ass and mischief. He loves his job collecting all the naughty souls in the world, thinking life can't get any better or more entertaining. He is cocky, and he knows it, until he meets Charlie. Just another bad soul to collect turns into something he never expected.

Despite being an arrogant person and some use of slang that just annoyed me a little bit, I actually liked him as a character. He had a lot of depth to him, and eventually becomes a reformed-bad guy (or at least partially reformed). The shining star for me, however, was Charlie. She was fun, carefree and didn't try to be anybody but herself. She is strong enough that her personality never got in the way of me liking her but innocent enough that she got through to Dante. I applaud the main female character not being the typical gorgeous cheerleader type, going more towards the nerdy girl. I felt like Charlie Cooper was just like me, nerdy, ugly but not hating life. Overall this book was fun with a really intriguing love story, and that's what I think makes it worth reading, it's different! -My Opinion-Buy it!

Review: The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

 

Review:
Way to throw a curve ball at the end of a series. Just as Meghan was winning me over, the POV changes to Ash and he takes off to find a way to be at Meghan's side while she is Queen of the Iron Fey. If I had a problem with Ash a couple books ago, that has been thrown out the window because what he went through in this book just to fain a soul will sooth any romantic to their own soul.

As much as it was nice to hear Ash's own voice after everything that's gone on, it was kind of weird. To get to the final book and then change narrators threw me a little bit and I was surprised to find myself wanting Meghan back in the story and in her head. Again, I liked Ash, it just seemed odd to me. Plus, I missed having the two of them together, but I know we had to find away to make that happen permanently so I understood why we had to go here and why he had to do it on his own, it was just strange.

I'm really sad to see this series end because it really was great. I know there's a start to a new series that involves her brother so I'll be picked that up next, but it will be sad to see this set of characters on the sidelines, but it was a phenomenal end to a great series!


P.S. I told you Grimalkin was loyal! -My Opinion-Buy it!

Review: The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

Review:
I can not overstate how amazing the world is in the Iron Fey series.

The Nevernever, the courts, the Iron fey, everything is just so well thought out and described so beautifully that you can picture it down to the tiniest image. It's all spelled out exactly how she wants you to see it....and it's all fabulous.

Now, the characters went in two different directions for me.

Ash....WTF?!?!?!
Where did all this hostility come from?
Not. Cool.
I was very disappointed by him in this second installment. Meghan on the other hand was a pleasant surprise. I didn't really like her in the first because she was a little whiny and I felt like she just gave up at points. Well, she changed my opinion now because she grew up, took control as much as she could and she learned to stand on her own two feet.

One character chanced for the good and one for the worse, but I thought it was a great sequel. Lot's of questions to be answered, but I'm not terribly surprised by that, we shall see where we go from here!

P.S. I still love Virus. She is just so cool to me, even if she is the bad guy! -My Opinion- Buy it!

Release Day Blitz + Giveaway: Wicked Thing by Angeline Kace

 Goodreads

Blurb:

Carmyn Rafferty witnessed the aftermath of her mother's affair. She learned at a young age not to trust anyone. Especially not your spouse. So she's planned. She's planned every detail of her life: who her husband will be, what their careers will be, what their lives will be like. All to avoid the pain of infidelity.

Dallas Brown lives a life all his own. He doesn't do relationships, he doesn't care what anyone thinks of him, and he doesn't live up to anyone's expectations but his own. 

When Carmyn's fiancé cheats on her, it sends her into a whirlwind of one-night stands with the most infamous player on campus. She can't seem to stay away from this tough guy and his dangerous motorcycle. Everything about him is the complete opposite of who she'd planned to fall in love with: tattoos, dark stubble along his jawline, and hair that brushes his shoulders.

As Dallas and Carmyn begin to fall deeper and deeper into each other, they learn that love can truly be a wicked, wicked thing.
 

Get it here:

Amazon 

Barnes and Noble 

About the author:
Angeline is a Scorpio living in the Rocky Mountains with her husband and dogs. She loves all things paranormal, believes ghosts are real, werewolves aren't, and vampires? Definitely real! At least in the Vampire Born world they are. She is currently at work on her first New Adult Romance, Wicked Thing, which releases September 2013.

 Check her out:

Website:  http://www.angelinekace.com/  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Angeline-Kace-YA-Author/122820374454142

Facebook Fan Page:   https://www.facebook.com/pages/Angeline-Kace-YA-Author/122820374454142?fref=ts

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Angeline_Kace

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4641669.Angeline_Kace

GIVEAWAY!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Release Day Blast: Then, Now, Forever by Teadora Kostova

Blurb:

Then

Gia had let Beppe into her life so easily, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. She’d held him when he’d hurt so badly he’d thought he might die; she’d talked him down when he’d been so angry he’d considered doing something he’d regret for the rest of his life.

Gia had saved his life.

At least once he needed to be strong for her.

This right now, this moment, was theirs. It belonged to them, not to abusive or dead fathers, not to guilt, regret or sorrow, not to the past or the future.

But will their love survive when tragedy separates them?

“I have to go, Gia. I’m tired and I feel empty. I know you need me, but I have nothing left to give you. I need to heal.”

“I miss you so much it’s hard to breathe.”

Now

Beppe was still Gia’s closest friend. But they’d never be anything more than that again. Remembering what it felt like to have the person you love most in the world torn away from you still hurt. Gia was determined never to be put into that position again.

There was never lack of love, but can Beppe win Gia’s trust again?

Forever

“When I was broken you gave me pieces of yourself and made me whole again.”

Get it here:

Amazon 

Amazon UK 

Smashwords 

About the author: 

Hi, my name is Teodora and I live in London with my husband Ted and my son Jason. I've been writing ever since I can remember, but it became my full time job in 2010 when I decided that everything else I've tried bores me to death and I have to do what I've always wanted to do, but never had to guts to fully embrace. I've been a journalist, an editor, a personal assistant and an interior designer among another things, but as soon as the novelty of the new, exciting job wears off, I always go back to writing. Being twitchy, impatient, loud and hasty are not qualities that help a writer, because I have to sit alone, preferably still, and write for most of the day, but I absolutely love it. It's the only time that I'm truly at peace and the only thing I can do for more than ten minutes at a time - my son has a bigger attention span than me.
When I'm procrastinating, I like to go to the gym, cook Italian meals (and eat them), read, listen to rock music, watch indie movies and True Blood re-runs. Or, in the worst case scenario, get beaten at every Wii game by a six year old.

Check her out:
Blog: www.teodorakostova.blogspot.com
Twitter: @Teodora_Kostova
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teodorakostovaauthor
E-mail: t.t.kostova@gmail.com

Review: The Children of Hurin by J.R.R. Tolkien

Review:
Alas, I think Tolkien and I are destined to be frenemies. I love all things Middle Earth, don't get me wrong, but it literally takes me weeks to actually read a book from him. Take The Children of Hurin as an example...I just finished....after starting on the 3rd of August....for me that is way to long to get through a story. However, I can't fault it because oh what a story it was! Middle Earth is always a fascinating place to read about and all the creatures are interesting in there own way.

This one takes us way back, way before The Hobbit and even further from The Lord of the Rings. In fact, I believe the trees in the Lord of the Rings actually lived in this part of Middle Earth before they had to move because of the big flood. It's always nice to get back ground information about a story and this story definitely shows what life was like before Bilbo and company tread on these grounds. This family of characters were just as fascinating as other fan favorites and the spirits and creatures sent by the Dark Lord were AWESOME. Did I mention dragons? I should mention dragons because the spirit sent after them is one and dragons make everything better! Simply put, another great story from Tolkien, and I encourage everyone to read SOMETHING of his....it may just take you a while to get through it. -My Opinion- Borrow it

Review(Mini): Creatures of Forever by Christopher Pike

Review:
I....I um....


I'm kind of at a loss for words.

I felt like this book took a hard left turn somewhere between the end of the previous book and this one, and never came back. 

This was way more sci-fi than any of the others and I had this horrible feeling like the whole 6 book series was nothing but a dream within a dream scenario. I wasn't sure where we were, what time period we were in or who was who at any point throughout the whole thing. Then I was completely disappointed by how we got our happily ever after. It just wasn't natural, if that's the word I really want to use. We worked through so many huge scenarios and we get a white guerrilla? 

I was really disappointed, just in general, I really enjoyed this up to now and had high hopes for a finale.

I didn't get it and that was really sad :(  -My Opinion-Bypass