Review ~ Forever (Angels Among us #3) by Linn B. Halton

ebook received in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: 23rd January 2014

Publisher: HarperImpulse

Description:
Ceri is alone for a reason. She’s not meant to fall in love. She’s here for one purpose only.

Love is a powerful emotion, but can it change the course of someone's destiny?

This is a romance story that explores the possibility of there being something more than just the 'here and now'.

Now, Ceri’s journey comes to an end in Forever - the final novella in the Angels Among Us trilogy. Part 1 - Falling, part 2 - Forbidden.

My Opinion

This was definitely the best novella in this series. It had more of a continuous plot and a lot more speech, which helped me actually feel for the characters. Forever picks up where Forbidden left off and jumps straight into the drama. I found it most fast-paced than the others and the emotions were more engaging. It's still a little jumpy in places and things happen suddenly, but I definitely enjoyed it more, even if the ending wasn't to my taste. It's clear the author did her research with the spiritual side of this book. Now on to the bonus content.

4

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Review ~ Forbidden (Angels Among Us #2) by Linn B. Halton

ebook received via the author in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: 14th November 2013

Publisher: HarperImpulse

Description:
“I’m in a tunnel—it’s dark and yet little rays, like pinpricks of sunshine breaking through foliage, seep towards me from every angle.”

Love is a powerful emotion, but can it change the course of someone's destiny?

This is a romance story that explores the possibility of there being something more than just the 'here and now'.

Part 2 in the Angels Among Us series.

My Opinion

I enjoyed this more than the first novella in this series. The relationship was more of a focal point and we got to know the characters better, especially Alex who has some secrets come to light. For me things took a while to get started but like book 1, they get better as you read on and leave you wanting more with a cliff hanger.

If there is one thing I'd say is that I would like a bit more speech to be able to connect with the characters better. There are a lot of thoughts and inner narrations in these novellas and I do feel a little distant like I don't really know Ceri or Alex. For me speech also helps moves things along quickly.


Anyway, on to the third, because the ending was just mean. I need to know what happens with Alex!

3.5

Review ~ Etiquette & Espionage (Finishing School #1) by Gail Carriger

ebook received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: February 5th 2013

Publisher: Little Brown Books

Description:
Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is the bane of her mother's existence. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper etiquette at tea--and god forbid anyone see her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. She enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

But little do Sophronia or her mother know that this is a school where ingenious young girls learn to finish, all right--but it's a different kind of finishing. Mademoiselle Geraldine's certainly trains young ladies in the finer arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but also in the other kinds of finishing: the fine arts of death, diversion, deceit, espionage, and the modern weaponries. Sophronia and her friends are going to have a rousing first year at school.

My Opinion

DNF at 45%


I tried to push on with this book and give it a chance, but I'm just not enjoying it. I'm finding myself more and more bored as the story goes on. I really wanted to like this as it had an intriguing concept, but I didn't like the execution. For me, there wasn't enough action and the lessons weren't very interesting. I'm not sure if it's because I've read other spy school books so expected more, but I wasn't sure what this book was. It was like a mixture of paranormal, historical spy, steampunk and I just didn't think it worked. It sounded good, but it's not for me unfortunately.

Review ~ Misty Falls (Savants #4) by Joss Stirling

Paperback purchased by myself.

Release Date: October 2nd 2014

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Description:
Misty is a one-girl disaster zone. Born with a Savant 'gift' that means she can never tell a lie, her compulsive truth-telling gets her into trouble wherever she goes.

So when she meets Alex: gorgeous, confident, and impossibly charming, Misty instantly resolves to keep her distance . . . Someone so perfect could never be hers, surely?

But a dark shadow has fallen across the Savant community. A serial killer is stalking young people who have these special mental powers. Soon one of them will be taken to the edge of death . . . and beyond.

My Opinion

I have been waiting what seems like forever for this book, but to be honest I had no idea which character were involved until I started reading. Joss Stirling is on my auto-buy list, so when I saw this was up for pre-order I didn't even bother to read the blurb, I just bought it. I also may have jumped around a little when it arrived earlier than I expected too!

Anyway, when I finally received my copy, and read the blurb, I was slightly disappointed that the Benedict Brothers weren't looking for their Soulfinders, but rather we meet Misty and Alex. However, I really should know by now that Joss wouldn't leave us without the Benedict boys--after all I have read every books she's ever released and if I could only say one thing, it'd be that she is consistent with her characters and gives the readers what they want. So, because of this, it means the Benedict Brothers are featured a lot in the story due to the fact Misty is Crystal's (Xav's Soulfinder) niece. There also happens to be a Savant serial killer on the loose, which means the Benedicts are in usual mystery solving mode. 

I love how the book started and I was so happy for Uriel! He's the one Benedict I really wanted more from so I'm glad he featured more prominently in Misty Falls. Similarly, I also found myself growing to  like Alex. Of course, I was wary of him at the start due to him being totally separate from the usual crowds in the Savant books, but he grew on me and I thought his development throughout made him endearing. You could sympathise with his situation, but you also end up admiring him for the tough choices he has to make in the end. Moreover, I liked Misty's character. The fact that she can't lie, and people can't lie around her, gave the book a humourous element at times when it got people in trouble, but it was also an interesting strain on new and old relationships.

A part from the characters, I really liked the overall story. It has a bit of mystery, danger, action, and romance all thrown into one, and it's everything you come to expect from this author. I will admit that I found the killer a little predictable and thought there were a few issues with characters being too trusting, but honestly? I don't really care. By the time I figured it out, I was too engaged with the book to let it put me off, and I couldn't stop reading.


Overall, a great read! I would highly recommend any book by this author.

ARC Review ~ Her Winning Formula (Hot & Nerdy #3) by Shannyn Schroeder

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: November 24th 2014

Publisher: eKensington

Description:
Spring break was supposed to be a last blast of fun for three friends before the reality of adulthood set in. But for the trio’s science whiz, it’s an education in instant attraction…

Chemistry major Felicity Stone can tell you everything about the way chemicals interact, but when it comes to social interaction, she needs schooling. Abandoned by her friends, Felicity is faced with spending spring break alone—unless she accepts a gorgeous stranger’s invitation to pose as his girlfriend at a family wedding. Not one to turn down a research opportunity, Felicity never expected it to produce such breathtaking results…

Teacher and baseball coach Lucas Tanner is fascinated by Felicity’s potent mix of spirit and scientist, not to mention her delicious curves. When Felicity asks him to return the favor by teaching her how to pick up guys, he can’t refuse—but he’s not at all happy with the idea of her using a formula for flirting on anyone but him. Can he convince her that together they have the perfect chemistry?

My Opinion

Having read the other two novellas in this series, and enjoying them, I thought I'd give the final one a go. Just like the others, this was a fun, easy read that was a great break.

I like the overall story but, even though I knew it was a novella going into reading it, I still wished there was a little more. Just like the first book (Her Best Shot) I felt things moved a little too quickly sometimes and I was enjoying things too much that I couldn't help but want more from them. I wanted the author to give the characters more time to grow and develop a back story, or at least have some more scenes together at the wedding where they had to interact as a pretend couple. I liked Felicity and how she thought she was worse than she was, and I liked Lucas' personality. Don't take this the wrong way because what is there is intriguing and engaging. I like this author's style but I feel this book would have better just a few chapters longer as it ended all of a sudden.

Overall though, this is a quick romance and I knew what I was getting into when I requested it. I really enjoyed the lightheartedness of this series and they were all sweet romances. If you're looking for quick novellas, where the girls are cute and a little geeky, you may want to check these out.

4

ARC Review ~ The Love List by Eve Devon

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: October 2nd 2014

Publisher: HarperImpulse

Description:
Falling in love is just not on Nora King’s To Do List…

Neither is accidentally super-gluing her shoe to her hand right before the biggest presentation of her life!

With all the hard work she’d put into securing the family business after her father’s death, Nora has no choice but to accept help from a knight in shining armour.

Disaster relief worker Ethan Love is still haunted by his last deployment, and desperate for distraction. He’s in town to ask Nora for a major favour, and swooping in to save her presentation is a sure way to get her on side.

As Ethan sticks around and helps Nora through her grief, her barriers tumble down…but will she dare to swap her To Do lists for a How to Fall in Love list?

My Opinion

Having loved Eve Devon's Her Best Laid Plans, I downloaded this book as soon as I saw it on NetGalley. It sounded like a great read, but unfortunately it is one I struggled with. I don't know if it's because I went in expecting more, but for me it didn't compare to Her Best Laid Plans.

First of all I'll start of by saying that this books wasn't bad and I think it'll appeal to people. The blurb had me at "super-glued her shoe to her hand" and I was already smiling. Similarly, the beginning had me smiling and it had me intrigued. The incident with the Ethan was funny and original, and I thought it was a different way for the lead characters to meet.

However, after this, it's where the book lost me. I don't know why, but I never really engaged with the characters. I didn't feel for them and especially in the middle I started to become disinterested. I kept reading because having read the author's other book, I hoped it would pick up again, and thankfully it did but it wasn't until around the 80% mark that I started to enjoy the relationship. Normally I know why characters don't work for me, but this book has stumped me. Maybe it was I never really felt their emotions? Anyway, this is the main reason the book didn't work for me. In terms of plot, romance, and relationships this book had everything I should love but I just didn't engage with it.


Overall, I think The Love List will appeal to others, but for me Her Best Laid Plans was a lot better and connected with me more. I wouldn't avoid recommending this book but I'd check out the author's other work first if you haven't already.

3

ARC Review ~ Stay With Me (Wait for You #3) by J. Lynn

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: 25th September 2014

Publisher: Harper

Description:
At 21, Calla hasn't done a lot of things. She’s never been kissed, never seen the ocean, never gone to an amusement park. But growing up, she witnessed some things no child ever should. She still carries the physical and emotional scars of living with a strung-out mother, Mona—secrets she keeps from everyone, including her close circle of college friends.

But the safe cocoon Calla has carefully built is shattered when she discovers her mom has stolen her college money and run up a huge credit card debt in her name. Now, Calla has to go back to the small town she thought shed left behind and clean up her mom’s mess again. Of course, when she arrives at her mother’s bar, Mona is nowhere to be found. Instead, six feet of hotness named Jackson James is pouring drinks and keeping the place humming.

Sexy and intense, Jax is in Calla’s business from they moment they meet, giving her a job and helping her search for Mona. And the way he looks at her makes it clear he wants to get horizontal . . . and maybe something more. Before Calla can let him get close, though, she’s got to deal with the pain of the past—and some very bad guys out to mess her up if she doesn't give them her mom.

My Opinion

I've been waiting for this book for what seems like ages since I ended up getting arcs of both Wait For You and Be With Me. It's a serious drawback to getting a review copies--an even longer wait between books--but I managed to get an advanced copy of Stay With Me too, so it wasn't too bad. I squealed when I read the email with this in. I love J. Lynn's writing and Stay With Me was no exception.

I will admit that the start didn't exactly make me fall in love with the book as much of the others. It had me worried, but soon it picked up and I couldn't stop reading. This book has heartbreak, tragedy, great relationships, and humour all mixed into one; and when I thought it couldn't get any better it still managed to. I was invested in Calla's story the whole way through, and like all of the other books I've read by this author, I found all of the character easy to connect with and relate to.

Personally, Cam (Wait For You) is hard to beat so I'm always going to compare the rest of the guys to him. However, Jax was slightly different to what has come before in the series because he had a more dangerous side. As an ex-Marine, he had this strong and powerful quality to him, but he was so caring ... it was hot. I couldn't help but love him for how protective he is of Calla and how he accepts her instantly. He also has some great lines that made me swoon at times and the laugh others. I loved his mixture of humour and seriousness.

Similarly, I thought Calla's character was balanced well. I assumed I would be irritated by her constant insecurities over her looks, but it never happened. She was sweet and innocent, and an all round likeable character who I wanted the best for. She'd been dealt a crappy hand in life and I wanted her life to turn around.

Overall, this book was brilliant--as usual. It was a captivating read that had characters that were likeable and easy to relates to. As well as that, it had a darker story line with elements of danger and risk that surrounded a really great romance.

5

ARC Review ~ No More Mr. Nice Guy by Amy Andrews

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: September 29th 2014

Publisher: Entangled Publishing (Brazen)

Description:

He's done playing the nice guy...

Newly single school counselor Josie Butler just made herself a Sexy To-Do list (featuring Bad Boys only). To her mortification, her best friend's gorgeous older brother Mack finds it…and laughs. But when Josie goes looking for some sexy fun, Mack's nice guy side turns all hot bad-assery, and suddenly she's pinned against an alley wall. Hottest. Sex. Ever. 

Veterinarian Mack Kennedy can't believe Josie wants to ditch her sweet, girl-next-door lifestyle. Even worse, that she'd consider doing it with anyone but him. When she leaves for London they'll go back to being 'just friends' but until then, he's going to show her just how bad nice guys can be.

And it's the perfect plan, as long as no one finds out... and no one falls in love.

My Opinion

No More Mr. Nice Guy was a book I decided to take a chance on. I've had mixed experiences with books involving falling for a best friends brother so I wasn't sure whether I was going to get a good, bad, or really generic plot. However, what I got was a really hot read that has good writing and a story I couldn't stop reading. 

In a way this book is the predictable friends decide to become friends with benefits and then fall for each other, but isn't that what you read these types of books for? As well as this the writing more than made up for the plot that became more predictable as it went a long because I loved the characters. Mack was just brilliant. He had the right balance of nice/hot guy and he could really turn off the nice guy when needed. Similarly, I felt Josie was easy to relate to and a well rounded character. I especially loved her relationship with Sal--whose story I hope gets told at some point.

No More Mr. Nice Guy has it's highs and lows in terms of emotions and the growth in the characters felt believable to me. It was a little insta-lovey (even if they'd know each other as friends for years) as the narrative only spans ten days of sex for them to get to love, but once again I didn't mind. In general I say this is a light-hearted fluffy read that you can't help but love.

Saying that, there are two things I would have liked more of. The first is that I didn't feel the back stories were developed in as much detail as they could have been. I would have liked maybe a few more emotional talks/moments where the characters spilled their guts to one another to answer the few remaining questions I have about their previous relationships. Similarly, point two links with this and I would have liked for the pace to be a little slower at times. Whilst it was a hot read, I did keep wishing for some emotion and not just sex scene after sex scene. I also hated the horse scene but that's a thing I have with animals in books--I didn't think it was necessary.

Anyway, overall, this was a hot, enjoyable read that kept me turning the pages. It's short and easy to relate to so if you're looking for a light-hearted book you should check this out.

Review ~ Help Me by Clara Bayard

ebook downloaded for free from Amazon.

Description:
All grown up and all alone...

Amanda Devlin steps of an airplane to an exciting future after her college graduation. But within minutes her dreams are dashed and her life is thrown into confusion and fear. Her sister is missing. A suspicious man seems to be following her.

Her only hope is a scrap of paper...

When she finds her sister's apartment ransacked and the police are reluctant to help, Amanda latches on to a single clue - a mysterious phone number.

The number leads her to a private club like nothing she's ever seen before. The only thing more shocking than the wealth displayed there is the club's true purpose.

...And a man she barely knows.

As she embarks on a dangerous journey, her only ally is sexy young billionaire Trey Heller. He's her guide and her greatest temptation as Amanda enters a world of sex and danger to save her sister. Their attraction is undeniable, but his true intentions are unknown.

My Opinion

This was an okay read but I did find myself skimming sections, as it didn't always hold my attention that well. I think the premise is interesting and it sets everything up nicely, with some interesting characters, however it hasn't enticed me enough to pay for the next 2 books when they are so short. I think it could have been longer and don't really see the need for it to have been split up into 3 novellas.

On the positive side, it was free so I can't complain too much. It was an easy read that killed the time while I was waiting for something.

2

Review ~ The Walled City by Ryan Graudin

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: November 4th 2014

Publisher: Little Brown

Description:
There are three rules in the Walled City: Run fast. Trust no one. Always carry your knife. Right now, my life depends completely on the first. Run, run, run. 

Jin, Mei Yee, and Dai all live in the Walled City, a lawless labyrinth run by crime lords and overrun by street gangs. Teens there run drugs or work in brothels—or, like Jin, hide under the radar. But when Dai offers Jin a chance to find her lost sister, Mei Yee, she begins a breathtaking race against the clock to escape the Walled City itself.

My Opinion

It may be one I come back to but for now I'm marking it as DNF at 32%

I really wanted to like this book. The unique setting and concept that was grounded in a history, that isn't commonly known, had me intrigued and eager to read this. As well as that the beautiful cover made this book all the more appealing. However, since the offset I have found The Walled City a struggle to read. I thought I would like the gritty realistic nature of the book but the writing has so many metaphors and similes that I felt a lot of it was superfluous and detracted from the real action/story. For me, it made the book drag and had me rolling my eyes a lot.

Similarly, I never really got a sense of the setting. I needed more background and proper description to be able to imagine it. I just felt like I was reading about a lot of dark alleyways. It may get better towards the end, I don't know, but I need it from the offset to be able to invest myself in a book.

As well as this all of the characters sounded the same. Written from 3 POVs I thought there would be a bigger variation, but the book seems to be very monotone. All of this has slowly made me lose interest, despite really wanting to finish it. I may come back to it eventually to see what happens, but I did skim the ending so it won't be top of my list any time soon, which isn't something I thought I'd be writing about this book.

Sorry, just not for me.

DNF

Review ~ Hometown Glory (Fox Creek, #1) by Danica Chandler

ebook downloaded for free from Amazon

Release Date: September 9th 2013

Description:
Jace Cooper always hated Fox Creek. Guilty by association, he took the blame for a crime committed by his friends one wild night four years ago. Recently paroled, he returns to his hometown, unsure of why he came back. 

With most of the town pulling up their welcome mats and closing the door on him, he has to find the one reason he wants to stay. Was it the familiarity? Was it his desire to rekindle broken relationships with family and friends? Or was it Annie Martin, his ex-girlfriend he left broken hearted?

Reunited for the first time after all of those years, they discover intense sexual passion, igniting new feelings Jace has never felt before. Is it lust, or is Jace Cooper falling for Annie Martin? 

He must make a decision – stay in Fox Creek and act on what he is feeling, or go to a different town where no one knows his name or his past.

My Opinion

This was a quick, laid back, easy read that was all right for a freebie. Like with a lot of novellas, it's a very in-the-moment type of story whereby there is little back story and emotional development. I did feel it was a little rushed as I didn't have time to grow to like the character. One minute there was mystery as to who this guy was as he returns, and the next he's in bed with Annie. I know they had a history but I needed a bit more development and less sex to really care as that's what this novella was based around. There wasn't really much of a story to make me want to read more. Still, can't complain when I got it free.

3

Review ~ Burn for Me (Fighting Fire #1) by Lauren Blakely

ebook downloaded from Amazon for free.

Release Date: June 19th 2014

Publisher: Entangled (Brzen)

Description:
She’s the one fire he can’t put out…

Jamie Lansing has had it bad for firefighter Smith Grayson for as long as they’ve been friends. Yes, he’s ridiculously charming and she might stare a little too long at his abs, but his dirty-talking, rough-around-the-edges ways aren’t for her. Plus, she knows that as a serial dater, Smith isn’t the type to settle down. But then a terrible, fantastic, mind-blowing mistake leaves her body craving more than one night.

Smith Grayson has only ever had eyes for one woman in town—his best friend Jamie. But convincing her a relationship between them will work is next to impossible with her refusing to see beyond his past. But when she asks for a week of no-strings-attached sex to get him out of her system, Smith knows this is his one chance to prove he’s not just the man she needs in her bed, but the man she needs in her life.

My Opinion

When I saw this on Amazon for free I thought I'd give it a go. I had previously passed over it on NetGalley because it didn't quite hook me enough to be obligated to review it. However, when it came with no strings attached, I decided to try it, seeing as I've read work by this author before.

This was a quick, easy read that kept me turning pages. It was a standard, typical romance but that's what I was looking for as I've been reading too many thrillers lately. I really liked Smith, he made the book for me. I liked his lines and the playfulness he had. I'm not sure I can say the same thing about Jamie, though. I never really felt a connection with her as her emotions irritated me. I felt she was over the top with her reactions and all of her opinions were based upon her sisters problems, rather than her own. She jumped to conclusions way too quickly so I found it hard to feel sorry for her.


Overall though, if you want a lighthearted, quick romance you may want to check this out. It wouldn't be top of the novellas I'd recommend but it's still and enjoyable read.

3

Review ~ Elicit (Eagle Elite #4) by Rachel Van Dyken

ebook purchased by myself.

Release Date: August 11th 2014

Description:
Cursed, numb, rejected, scorned, wicked, sinister, dark, twisted...my name is Tex Campisi and this is my legacy. I killed my father in cold blood and lost my soul right along with him. 
I crave war more than peace, and I'm about to take my place in history as the youngest Capo dei Capi in the Cosa Nostra...that is until someone stops me, saves me from myself. 

But the only person able to do that...is my best friends sister, Mo Abandanato, and she just ripped my heart out and asked me to hold it in my hands while she put bullets through it. 

Im cursed so I did it. 
I'm numb so I held it. 
I'm wicked so I liked it.
I used the pain Mo caused as a catalyst to turn into my biggest nightmare--the five families greatest enemy. It's my turn to take a stand, knowing full well I'm going to lose my mind to the madness that is the American Mafia. I've always been told Blood is thicker than life. I wish I would have listened. Because regardless of who you love? You will betray. You will kill.
Blood Always Wins. 
The only way out is death...yours.

Welcome to the Dark Side of the Family.

My Opinion

I'm going to keep this review short than usual because I don't want to give anything away. If you haven't read the other books in the series you should read them before starting Elicit.

All I can say is WOW!! This is the best book in the series so far. It kept me guessing the whole way through and I hardly figured out anything. I loved how the author used the mixed POV to create the tension and suspicion and this book had me on the edge of my seat the whole way through. 

If you have read the others books, this one definitely won't disappoint. It has all of the characters still, which I think is great and it not only develops Tex's story, but drops little pieces of information about other character too. I found it to be a lot darker than the previous books, with even more violence and threats--great!

I'm not going to saying anything else, especially about the plot, you'll just have to read this book to find out what happens. And I highly suggest reading them! Now back to work for me as I've run out of books in this series to use as an excuse.

5

Review ~ Entice (Eagle Elite #3) by Rachel Van Dyken

ebook purchased by myself.

Release Date: May 13th 2014

Description:
Chase Winter let the love of his life slip through his fingers and into the hands of his best friend and mafia boss of the Abandanato family. Now that he's been given a second chance to right a wrong--he refuses to let his own selfishness stand in the way. The only problem? He's not fully in possession of his heart, so when Mil De Lange, the girl who's innocence he stole, and heir to the worst of the worst mafia families in the US, asks him for a favor. He actually says yes, not realizing that that one yes has the power to destroy them all. 

Mil's been in love with Chase as long as she can remember, but as the years went by, the love turned to hate, and now that he's agreed to help her, she's wondering if she made a fatal error. Because Chase isn't a teenager anymore. He's a hot blooded male, bent on owning every part of her body and soul, and willing to kill anyone in his path who dares stand in the way. 
It's time for secrets to finally be revealed...but make no mistake, it's going to take a lot of bloodshed for those truths to be discovered.

You've never read a New Adult Mafia story like this before...loyalties will be tested, lovers reunited, and friendships obliterated. Welcome to the Family. Blood in--No out.

My Opinion

I love this series. I haven't been able to stop reading it for two days and I've bought the fourth already. For me it just keeps getting better and better as the books progress but I still hate that there are so many cliff hanger endings!! Seriously I need to get work done and I can't when reading these books.

Anyway, Entice was a great read that had everything I'd come to love from these books. It was also better than the first two in my opinion as I couldn't figure anything out in advance. Unlike with book 1 and 2 the plot kept unravelling with many twists and I had to restrain myself from skimming to the end to see what happened.

Similarly I love the mixed POV and the fact it gives a really good overview while also being used as a great tool to hide things. All of the characters are still present, which is great as I thought some would have left by now, and I'm growing to love the guys even more.

Besides this there were some intense moments between Chade and Mil and I really couldn't put this book down. If you like dangerous guys, hot and intense romance, and mafia violence you should definitely check this series out.

4.5

Review ~ Elect (Eagle Elite #2) by Rachel Van Dyken

ebook purchased by myself.

Release Date: December 10th 2013

Description:
Would you die for the one you love?
Nixon Abandonato made his choice. And now he has to pay the price. Tracey is the love of his life, but being with him has made her a target of his family's enemies. The only way to keep Trace alive is convince the world she means nothing to him. 

Trace Rooks has fallen irrevocably in love with the son of her family's sworn rival, and she knows in her bones nothing can tear them apart. Until Nix suddenly pushes her away and into the arms of his best friend... But Trace isn't ready to give up on a future with Nix--and if he won't fight for them, she will. 

In the end, a sacrifice must be made. A life for a life. For what better way to cover a multitude of sins than with the blood of a sinner . . .

My Opinion

It's very rare that I find a book by a new author and have I buy the next book instantly. It's also rare that I buy ebooks. However after reading Elite from NetGalley and reading the extract from this book I just had to have it straight away. That cliff hanger was just mean and I needed to see how everything played out.

This book had everything I loved from the first but with more danger and drama. The plot held my interest all of the way through and had me turning pages rapidly until I finished in a few hours. I will admit that, like Elite, I did figure out what was going on before it was revealed but it was still a great story. There is a lot of violence, action, emotions, and a high intensity. I can't say anything else but it's a great series and probably the best I've read this year (I know that because I had to read all 4 before coming back to write this).

Anyway, I don't want to give too much away so all I'm going to say is these books are a must read.

4.5

Book Spotlight ~ Broken (The Siren Series, #1) by L.A. Griffiths

Broken (The Siren Series, #1)

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
Ellie Laveau is a shy, quiet sixteen year old girl, but she carries a deadly gift. At her local school they call her a freak and are afraid of her. She is scared to touch people, since she can send them into a lustrous rage. The only thing that gets her through the day is her family and her two friends, Lilly and Becky. While walking home from school she is stalked by a strange, beautiful woman who knows much about her, and soon her life is turned around by disturbing dreams of creatures that keep her awake at night, and the threat of danger that seems to have taken an interest in her.

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Excerpt

Review ~ Elite (Eagle Elite #1) by Rachel Van Dyken

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: October 14th 2014

Publisher: Forever (Grand Central Publishing)

Description:
For Tracey Rooks, life with her grandparents on a Wyoming farm has always been simple. But after her grandmother's death, Tracey is all her grandfather has. So when Eagle Elite University announces its annual scholarship lottery, Tracey jumps at the opportunity to secure their future and enters. She isn't expecting much-but then she wins. And life as she knows it will never be same . . .

The students at Eagle Elite are unlike any she's ever met . . . and they refuse to make things easy for her. There's Nixon, gorgeous, irresistible, and leader of a group that everyone fears: The Elect. Their rules are simple. 1. Do not touch The Elect. 2. Do not look at The Elect. 3. Do not speak to The Elect. No matter how hard she tries to stay away, The Elect are always around her and it isn't long until she finds out the reason why they keep their friends close and their enemies even closer. She just didn't realize she was the enemy -- until it was too late.

My Opinion

This book surprised me. I was sold at the mention of the mafia really, but I didn't expect it to go the way it did and I really enjoyed it. I wasn't sure about the university aspect when I requested it--I thought it would all be rich, privileged kids who thought they were above everyone--but this book had a darker, more sinister undertone that I loved.

Elite was an interesting read that had many reveals and great characters. I've seen it in a few other reviews the phrase "lovable asshole" and I think that sums up the guys (Nixon and Chase) perfectly. When I was first introduced to them, I didn't think they'd win me over. They came across as complete jerks, but it was intriguing. However, by the end Chase won me over completely, and Nixon mostly did--even if he did mess up more than the others and frustrated me. Saying that, I did find them very intense characters and I thought that kind of emotion was carried across well in all aspects of the book, especially the romance.

Another thing I liked was the constant battle Nixon and Trace had. I liked that even as the new girl, she stood up to him and broke his rules. Of course it ended badly for her, but her attitude and remarks were great while they slowly grew and things were revealed.

If there was one thing I would say bad abut this book, it is that I found everything a bit obvious. I figured out the secret between Nixon and Trace way before the reveal, and similarly with who Trace was. It didn't really bother me as I liked the writing but I felt it could have been concealed a bit better or revealed sooner so I wasn't waiting so long.

Overall though, I really enjoyed this book. I also made the mistake of reading the extract from book 2 at the end, and now I can't wait to read Elect! If you like darker books and don't mind some violence mixed into an intense romance, you should definitely check this out.

4.5

Review ~ Conquest (The Chronicles of the Invaders #1) by John Connolly & Jennifer Ridyard

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: 28th August 2014

Publisher: Headline

Description:
She is the first of her kind to be born on Earth.

He is one of the Resistance, fighting to rid the world of an alien invasion.

They were never meant to meet. 

And when they do, it will change everything . . .

My Opinion

I can't finish this book. It sounded like a great read that would be full of action, but it has taken me a week to get through the first 15 chapters! I could normally read that in the space of a few hours. There is too much info-dumping that it actually gave me a headache and I fell asleep twice. The story tells rather than shows and I don't find myself invested at all. I did flick forward to see if it got better, with the hope of continuing, but in the six sections I picked at random, the writing seemed just as dense with little speech and movement. 


I wanted to like this book and I hate DNFing, but it's just so slow and I can't invest any more time in it.

DNF

Review ~ The Dying of the Light (Skulduggery Pleasant #9) by Derek Landy

Hardback purchased by myself

Release Date: August 28th 2014

Publisher: Harper Collins

Description:
The War of the Sanctuaries has been won, but it was not without its casualties. Following the loss of Valkyrie Cain, Skulduggery Pleasant must use any and all means to track down and stop Darquesse before she turns the world into a charred, lifeless cinder.

And so he draws together a team of soldiers, monster hunters, killers, criminals… and Valkyrie’s own murderous reflection.

The war may be over, but the final battle is about to begin. And not everyone gets out of here alive…

My Opinion

I finished this book on the 29th but have been deliberating until now on what to say about it. I read the book in a day, which meant I didn't absolutely nothing else, but it was all for a good cause. I have been following this series since it was first published and it quickly became one of my favourites. Every year Derek Landy's book was top of my wishlist, so it's taken a while for me to process that there will be no more Skulduggery.

Having said that, it now pains me not to be able to give this book 5 stars. I wanted to, I really did but I just can't bring myself to rate it that as it has caused me so much deliberation over whether I was truly satisfied with the end. For me, although the whole book was great and had everything I had come to expect from Derek Landy, there was so much more riding on The Dying of the Light because it was the 9th, and final, book in the series. It had to sum up everything, give an amazing conclusion and send the characters off in a heroic, action-packed way for me to really feel satisfied and although parts were there (the action/heroics), when I got to the final two chapters, I kind of thought "was that it?" and "What just happened?" And believe me I really hate to write that. 

I'm not going to write anything about the story as I don't want to ruin it for anyone, but I really wanted Skulduggery to have the last line and the fact he doesn't disappointed me considering he is the main character. However, besides that, the rest of the book was great and I did enjoy it overall. I might have to read it again to fully understand everything but Skulduggery is still one of my favourite series and I can't wait to see what Derek Landy brings out net year!

4.5

Review ~ Falling (Angels Among Us #1) by Linn B. Halton

ebook received exchange for an honest review

Release Date: October 3rd 2013

Publisher: HarperImpulse

Description:
Ceri thinks she sees angels… everywhere.

Love is a powerful emotion, but can it change the course of someone’s destiny?

This is a romance story that explores the possibility of there being something more than just the ‘here and now’.

Ceri’s journey has begun. Part 1 of three novellas in the Angels Among Us series

My Opinion

I wanted to read this a while ago but after having some issues with NetGalley and files downloading, I missed the chance as it was archived before everything got sorted out. However, when I saw that it's been complied into one book and going on a blog tour, I couldn't resist taking part.

Falling has drawn mixed emotions from me. It's a short, fast-paced read that had an interesting concept but I didn't really connect with it until the end. I felt the start was a bit all over the place and besides jumping here and there, there wasn't that much description. I felt I was told a lot of things--especially emotions--and I did find it hard to stick with. However, things did get more interesting towards the end and the cliff hanger has intrigued me. I won't say any more as I don't want to give anything away with this short read but I'm hoping there will be more romance at some point.

I'm not sure what's install for Ceri, but I'll be reading and reviewing all books soon in time for my tour stop.