Review ~ Torn - Part Four (The Torn Series) by Ellen Callahan

eBook borrowed via Kindle Unlimited

Release Date: May 11th 2015

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
Baby, I’m no good for you. 
Words he’d uttered months ago echo in his ears as he sits behind bars. How did it come to this? And how could he put her through this? 

There was no denying that Alexa Riley had sunk deep inside his heart and made herself a home there. A smarter man would kick her out. A smarter man would see that she’d be better off with someone else. 

Mallet never claimed to be a smart man. 

Red and blue lights, screaming sirens. His hands in cuffs, hers on her head. Baby, I’m no good for you. 

Fights, family, an uncertain future - he’ll need all the strength he can get, including hers. 

Assuming he hasn’t finally scared her away once and for all.

My Opinion

Whilst this was an okay conclusion, book 1 was definitely the best in this series. By the end I felt things should have progressed more than they did. I never really fell in love with the characters or their story. For me there needed to be more back story. I felt this side of things was underdeveloped and needed more work for both Mal and Riley. Everything felt better suited to a full-length novel, and there was the potential for it.


Overall they were easy reads and I got them free with a KU free trial so I can't complain. The series had its good points and it was all right for quick reads. It did get a bit repetitive, but you may want to check them out if you're on KU as they're some of the better reads I'v'e taken a chance on.

3

Blog Tour Review ~ Always Yours, Baby *Damon & Willa* (The Baby Saga #4) by Airicka Phoenix

eARC received from the author in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: May 25th 2015

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
How could someone so pure want filth like him?
Damon Comb was no stranger to pain, hunger, loneliness, and abandonment. Being given a family that would die for one another didn’t erase six years of torture. It didn’t take away the nightmares. She did. She was everything someone like him should never be allowed. She was goodness and strength and she made him human.

How could someone so broken complete her?
Willa McClain had it all, a family that adored each other, the love of an entire town and a future she worked her butt off to get. But all she wanted was the boy with the sad blue eyes and the crooked smile. He was her best friend, her protector and the only one who really understood her.

How could a love like theirs be extinguished?
But nothing ever lasted forever. Damon knew better than anyone how quickly the tides could change. Can he keep his past at bay before it consumes the only light in his dark world? Can he finally tell Willa the truth, or will his fears tear them apart forever?

How could love so strong ever fail?

My Opinion

This is the book I've been eagerly waiting for. I've loved Willa and Damon since they were introduced in Bye-Bye Baby and couldn't wait to start their story.

Willa and Damon's bond is something special. Unlike with the other books they've grown up together and been in love for nineteen years without telling each other. That love has grown and evolved as they've grown up and because you see this in the other books it's easy to understand and feel the strength of their emotions for one another. They've been tied at the hip their whole lives and it makes this a touching read because of the strength of their emotions.

When the author combines this with Damon's troubled past as well and the guilt and lack of self-worth it tugged on my heart strings. He's a great guy and I hated that he felt that way about himself. Both Willa and Damon are easy characters to love and engage with, and I think the author did them justice.

As for the story it was a sweet read until the tension in the end. Whilst parts were predictable I didn't expect the twists near the end. I knew things were going too well and something was going to happen but I could never figure out what. The book was paced well and held my interest just like all of the others.

Overall, I started this series with a gamble. Books centring around babies aren't usually my thing, but I love the tightness of this author's cast. They're enjoyable reads with great characters.

4.5

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review ~ Torn - Part Three (Torn #3) by Ellen Callahan

ebook borrowed via Kindle Unlimited

Release Date: May 8th 2015

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
Alexa Riley believes that her life is in order. She’s working hard, she’s making rent, she’s getting by in the big city. And she’s doing it all on her own. 

Mallet hovers around the peripherals of her life. She quit the band and quit that group of friends. It would have been so easy for him to simply drift away. 

But he won’t. 

With the holidays looming heavily over her head, she’s not ready to face to her family. Facing her family means facing her own problems and facing herself. 

Overwhelmed and out of control, her determination to keep him away grows weak. Mallet’s apologies and offers and promises tug on her heart, bringing her inch by slow inch back into his arms. Making mistakes never felt so good. But with the ghosts of their pasts still hot on their heels, can they ever hope to make things right?

My Opinion

So far I've read all of these books back-to-back. Each one leaves on a cliff hanger and I've enjoyed the first two. Unfortunately this one lost me a bit. The plot was getting a bit samey and things moved too quickly in. Things keep going backwards and forth with the relationship and the author isn't giving things enough time to develop. There isn't much of an emotional connection.


Saying that, there is only one more instalment left so I'll finish the serial. Each instalment is a quick, easy read that you don't have to think about. They are written well, I just wish a little more would happen. I'm starting to think this would have been better as one novel than a serial.

3

Review ~ Torn - Part Two (The Torn Series) by Ellen Callahan

ebook borrowed via Kindle Unlimited

Release Date: May 8th 2015

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
He doesn’t let anyone inside his heart, but she managed to break it anyway. 
For Mallet, fighting comes first, friends seconds, and flings a distant third. Yet somehow Alexa Riley dominated his thoughts, distracted him, drove him damn crazy. 

It all started out as a game, though, and all games eventually come to an end. Right? 

So why can’t he stay away? Why can’t he keep his hands off of her? He ought to keep his eyes on his goals - getting stronger, being the best, working and fighting until he’s ready to drop so that he can finally beat his older brother in a match that’s been a long time coming. 

Good things can never last. Not for him. Grudges and the mistakes of his past follow him, taunt him, and would come between them given half a chance. But Riley worms her way back in. He’s invincible in the ring but he’s helpless against her. 

Some fights, losing is winning. 

Some fights, the results are inevitable. Predetermined. Destiny. 

And all fights have to come to a violent end.

My Opinion

The second of a four part serial, this read surprised me by being written from Mallet's POV. For the first chapter I thought it was just going to retell book one from the guy's POV, but thankfully after chapter one it picked up where part one left off.


Just like the first part I enjoyed this read. Things move along at a good pace and it kept me interested. Once again it is just a standard romance, and some of the drama is a little clichéd, but for something I downloaded for free, and for it's length it's a good read. I hope things go back to Riley's POV though.

3.5

Review ~ Torn - Part One (The Torn Series) by Ellen Callahan

ebook borrowed via Kindle Unlimited

Release Date: May 8th 2015

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
He’s the bad boy with the filthy mouth unlike any man she’s ever known.

One wink was all it took.
Now she’s hooked.

When college grad Alexa Riley set out to reinvent herself, getting dumped wasn’t part of the plan. She changed her whole look, joined a punk band, and leapt into her new party-hopping lifestyle with both feet. She’s sure she’ll win her ex back but there’s nothing wrong with having a little fun in the meantime, right?

Yeah, right.

It’s all fun and games until she meets Mallet. The cocky and magnetic MMA fighter isn’t shy about what he wants - and he wants her. Old Alexa would never have a casual fling, but New Alexa is ready to explore her wild side.

But no matter how much she can change how she looks and how she lives, she can’t change the way her heart beats. She’s falling for the sexy and seductive fighter, hard and fast.

Just in time for Tyler to decide that he wants her back after all.

Of course.

This is the first part in a four-part series.

My Opinion

This is another read I borrowed via Kindle Unlimited. I didn't really know what to expect, but seeing as it's a serial I didn't really expect much. I was after quick reads that didn't involve much thought.


Anyway, I found myself enjoying Torn part 1. It's set up some interesting situations and I'll definitely be reading more. I have a thing for fighters and I'm intrigued to see how Mallet grows. I also really dislike Tyler! I will admit that there's nothing blow-your-mind-amazing about this read. It's just a simple, standard romance, but it's a good one to chill out with.

4

Review ~ Not a Fairy Tale by Romy Sommer

ebook received from the author in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: February 19th 2015

Publisher: HarperImpulse

Description:
And the award goes to…

Not Nina Alexander that’s for sure. With her best gracious loser face firmly in place, Hollywood’s hottest starlet is hoping to end her evening of disappointment with a graceful exit stage left. Only an unexpected proposal and an awkward wardrobe malfunction mean that this is certainly going to be a night to remember… for all the wrong reasons! So what girl would resist the gorgeous Dominic Kelly coming to her rescue?! Especially when he’s whisking her out of the paparazzi’s prying eyes on the back of his motorbike – and wearing a tux to rival James Bond!

Nina soon realises that the only way to recover from such a scandal is to toughen up and snag the role of the decade in the year’s hottest YA screen adaptation. Who better to train her than her very own professional stuntman? Getting up close and personal with Dom will take Nina well out of her comfort zone – both professionally and in her closely scrutinized private life. But this A-list couple know only too well that’s it not all happy ever afters in Hollywood…

My Opinion

Not a Fairy Tale is, by far, my favourite book from this author. I didn't really know what to expect from the story as it broke most of the ties from the author's previous work, but I ended up really enjoying it. 

With her other book there were always small things that niggled me. They were enjoyable, but they didn't hook me in the sense I found them hard to put down. However, Not a Fairy Tale had me wanting to read more. The only reason I put it down was to sleep. It had me turning the pages rapidly and I wanted to see how the relationship progressed, because really, who can say no to a hot stuntman?

As well as this I liked the characters in this book. The author did a good job with creating them and I enjoyed the fact she wrote Nina to be different from the usual celebrity stereotypes. She doesn't complain, gets on with things, has morals, and is determined to succeed. There are some moments where she comes across selfish and self-centred, but I'm glad she makes the right choices in the end. Similarly, Dom was a nice match for her. I loved how his sisters babied him and the connection he had with his family. 

Moreover, I thought the book was paced well. From the romance, to stunt training I found it engaging and I was sucked into the author's world. It was slightly predictable, especially towards the end, but it didn't stop it from being a good read. It had a little bit of everything.

The only section I wanted more detail on was Nina's background. There are small hints throughout and then she comes clean in the end, but I would have liked slightly more emotion and detail. It felt a bit random for me.

Anyway, overall this was a great read. It's my favourite from this author so far and I would definitely recommend it. 

4

Review ~ The Contract: The Billionaire's Secret Bargain by J.R. Reed

ebook borrowed via Kindle Unlimted

Release Date: May 2015

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
Small business owner, Miranda Hopkins, needed billionaire, Harry Rosenburg, like she needed a giant, gaping hole in the head, only she did need him. Desperately. She needed him enough to sign his contract for one month as his submissive. 

The chef half to Miranda's catering business was pregnant and ordered to complete bed rest. Her mother's dementia now had her in dangerous situations, and her teen brother's challenging attitude had her at her wit's end. The bills mounted up and she had one shot at the wedding of the season. Then Harry makes her an offer she should definitely refuse. 

Harry Rosenburg is filthy, crazy rich but he has his pride. Lately that seems to have packed it's bags and walked off like everyone else in the wake of his bridezilla sister. The wedding will go on even if he has to plan it himself, in a week, with no catering staff. To make it worse he's offering cash for the small-time caterer to be his wedding plus one, and now she's brokered her own deal to be his submissive. 

No problem. Not until the emotions take over.

My Opinion

I borrowed this on Kindle Unlimited, but it didn't really hold my interest even for a serial. It got better towards the end and I'll give the second one a go because they're so short. I'm hoping this one set things up and things begin to kick off in book 2.

2

Review ~ Boy Toy Chronicles (Boy Toy Chronicles, #1) by Jay McLean

eBook borrowed via Kindle Unlimited.

Release Date: March 3rd 2015

Publisher: self-published

Description:
Warning: This book contains mildly inappropriate everything. 
*28,500 standalone NOVELLA* 

"So…I came up with a plan. 

I sat the brothers down and gave them my speech; we’d become male escorts. 

The house was split. 

The single dudes thought it was great. The guys with the steady girlfriends told the single dudes they were insane. 

I promised them all we could make it work without hurting anybody. But we had to be smart about it. We had to keep it off campus. We had to keep it a secret. And in order to do so, we had to target those who wanted it kept a secret as much as we did. 

Our target: Filthy rich, unsatisfied, horny housewives. 

Keep it high class, so to speak. 

And thus began BTC, or Boy Toy Corporation.

Crazy, right?

Crazy genius.”

-Tyler West.

My Opinion

This was a short read that put a smile on my face. I will admit that the subjects put forward in the blurb didn't exactly hook me but I saw some reviews saying it was funny so I thought I'd give it a go seeing as I've enjoyed this author's previous work.

Surprisingly I didn't find the book uncomfortable. I thought it'd be cringey with the male escorts and older women. However it didn't go into much detail and was more like companionship mostly. It was also done in a humorous way.


It was a short, enjoyable read. I liked the characters and the relationship that develops. Yeah things are predictable, but for an hour it was a good novella to relax with and put a smile on my face.

4

Review ~ Give Me Love (Give Me, #1) by Kate McCarthy

ebook downloaded for free via Amazon

Release Date: March 15th 2013

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
Evie Jamieson, a former wild child, is not only a headstrong, smart-mouthed trouble magnet, she is also a lead singer with a plan. That plan involves relocating her band, including her two best friends guitarist Henry and band manager Mac, to Sydney to kick off their dreams of hitting the big time. 

Jared Valentine is the older brother of Evie's best friend Mac and also the man determined to make Evie his. They strike up a long distance friendship which suits Evie because she's determined to avoid the distraction of love, not only because it doesn't fit in with her plan but because twice in the past it has left her for dead. Moving to Sydney however, has put her directly in Jared's path and he has decided it's the perfect opportunity to make his play.

Unfortunately Jared, co-owner in a business that 'consults' in dangerous hostage and kidnapping situations, makes an enemy who's determined to enact revenge. When this enemy puts Evie in his sights, Jared not only has a fight on his hands to make her his own, but also to keep her alive.

Is accepting the love he's so desperate to give worth the risk to both her heart...and her life?

My Opinion

This is a freebie I'm glad I stuck with. After a rocky and choppy start I wasn't sure I was going to make it to the end of this book, but I gave it a chance and it won me over.

The thing about the start was everything happened so quickly. The book jumped weeks and months over only a few pages almost giving me whiplash. It was hard to keep up with everything and it led to very little emotional connection with the bonds beginning to form between characters. If I'm brutally honest, it was one of the worst starts I've read in a while. However, for once I feel okay saying that because I enjoyed it in the end.

Once Jimmy gets involved (you'll have to read it to find out who he is) things slow down and the pace becomes better. I will admit that the writing was still a little choppy at times and the sequence of events could have been planned better so there weren't so many flashbacks or jumps in time, but the plot kept me intrigued. I liked the elements of danger and the relationships between everyone.

The characters won me over too. At the beginning I thought they were slightly childish. Whilst I still think Mac could age slightly more, I did find myself growing to like them. I liked Cody and the bond with Evie was clear. I also liked Jared--even if some of his decisions were stupid.

I'm not sure what I feel about Jared and Evie. Sometimes things felt rushed and at other times their decisions seemed rash and incomprehensible. Things did drag slightly but they were cute when they were together. It's not a relationship I disliked, but it didn't draw massive emotions from me either. It was enough to keep me reading when combine with the danger.


Overall I'd say this is a book you've got to stick with. It grows on you slowly and the writing does get better as it goes on. A lot happens in it and although sometimes it might seem a little jumbled I still found it an enjoyable read in the end. For a freebie it's worth the shot as you can really go wrong and I will more than likely purchase the next 2.

3.5

Review ~ Stronger (Runaway #1) by Lexie Ray

ebook downloaded for free via Amazon

Release Date: October 10th 2013

Description:
My name is Jasmine and I have HIV.

I was 14 years old the first time my mother’s boyfriend hit me and at the age of 18, I was forced to be a prostitute. Cast away by the same people I thought were family, I was ready to take my own life. Until I met Nate. He didn't run away when I said I was sick. But I wonder why a handsome, funny, Mr. Right like him would love someone like me?

My name is Nate and I have a secret.

I met Jasmine at a crossroads in my life. She was beautiful, desperate, and inspired me in ways I didn't know were possible. She makes me better in everything and I want to help her get better, too. But I have a secret, one she doesn't have to know - until the time is right.

My Opinion

This is a little different from my normal reviews, but it is the most concise way of writing down my thoughts.

- the start wasn't easy to read and I did think I was going to give up at one stage. I thought I was getting a romance and it was taking too long to arrive. When it did, I was disappointed with it.

- there were too many plot strands crammed into a relatively short read. It meant there was little development on each individual strand leading to a choppy writing style. Things weren't developed enough, motives were missing and therefore it was hard to understand why things were happening. It also meant there were a lot of loose ends.

- because there was so much going on I found it hard to connect with the book or characters. There wasn't enough emotion for me. Things happened too quickly, and the whole book needed to be slowed down.

- I didn't buy into the romance. It all moved too quickly and things magically went away when Nate arrived. It wasn't realistic.


Overall it has potential to be a good story. The concept would be interesting and moving, but it needs a lot of work to get there. 

2

Review ~ Away (Keaton, #1) by B.A. Wolfe

ebook received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: November 9th 2013

Description:
What good is running AWAY when you only end up lost? 

Cassandra Pierce had her whole "perfect" life planned out by her parents. One night of pure weakness and lust has her running away from it all and seeking refuge in Alamosa with her best friend. But it seems life has other plans for her when she finds herself lost in the small town of Keaton. 

Jason Bradley is a charming country guy. He lives a simple life that’s nothing like what Cassandra is used to. A single moment in life changed everything he thought he once knew, leaving him with a broken heart and an unplanned future. 

What happens in Keaton is nothing Cassandra or her heart could have ever prepared for. The instant connection she shares with Jason is no secret, but what they're keeping hidden from one another is. Will these two be able to find a way to trust each other or will their secrets tear them apart?

My Opinion

Sigh, sigh, and sigh again. Everything was going so well and then it went horribly wrong and left me disappointed. I hate saying this as for most part it was a good book, but the ending was horrible and ruined the entire book.

I'm not going to give anything away as there are a few secrets in this book that take awhile to come to light. I also definitely didn't guess Jason's so I don't want to ruin it for you if you choose to read Away. For that reason I'm keeping this relatively short.

For the most part this book was a cute, adorable read. The romance was sweet and the characters were easy to like. However, for me, all of this was let down by the ending. It didn't draw any emotion but annoyance from me and I felt let down. I hate books that end on a bad note, especially when the romance is good. It ruined the entire book for me and there were quite a few things that weren't tied up satisfyingly. This book is more like one big prequel to set up book 2 and it shows in the pacing, which was sometimes slow, and at others very choppy.

Similarly, the whole deal with Cassie's parents was jarring and felt more of an add on. I didn't believe her emotions to go to them and from that point on I was turning every page hating the story. I'm guessing it was meant to break my heart but really I was just angry.


Overall the majority of this book was good. However, if you like HEAs don't read this. The ending ruined this book entirely for me and it was enough to bump my rating down. I would have rated it 3 stars, but when a book leaves me in such a bad mood I can't bring myself to do that. The endings are important for me and make or break books in my opinion. For me it doesn't matter how good the story is, if the ending sucks the whole book is ruined.

2

Review ~ Access All Areas by Charlotte Phillips

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: May 21st 2015

Publisher: HarperImpulse

Description:
After losing her elderly parents, portrait photographer Anna will do anything to avoid losing the family home – the only thing she has left of her perfect childhood.

When a friend who works at the exclusive boutique hotel, The Lavington, provides a hot tip – an A list film star is staying there with her rumored toyboy lover – Anna comes up with a plan. A photo of them together could be the answer to all Anna’s money problems.

Unfortunately, she’s the worst paparazzi photographer on the planet and Jack, the hotel’s new head of security, back in England after globetrotting as bodyguard to the stars, isn’t about to allow a picture on his watch. No matter how cute the photographer might be…

My Opinion

This was a short, sweet, and slightly humorous read that I enjoyed over the space of an hour. I preferred it to the first book in the series (the only other I've read) and it held my attention well.

Being a novella there, of course, won't be as much emotional depth. However, I thought the author fitted in quite a bit of back story for both characters and I could sympathise with Anna. I also like that she had morals.

I'd say the romance is more short and sweet than hot, but it had me smiling.


Overall this was an enjoyable read. I liked the author's style and the moments of comedy that come with Anna being a bad paparazzi. Oh, and it can be read as a standalone even though it's the fourth book in the series.

4

Review ~ Angelfall (Penryn & the End of Days #1) by Susan Ee

ebook received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: August 2012

Publisher: Amazon Skyscape

Description:
It's been six weeks since the angels of the apocalypse destroyed the world as we know it. Only pockets of humanity remain. 

Savage street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. 

When angels fly away with a helpless girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back...

My Opinion

This book has been on my tbr pile for ages but I've never got round to buying it. Therefore when I saw it up on NetGalley I thought it the perfect time to get into the series.

Sadly though, this book just isn't holding my attention. It got off to a rocky start and since then I've been struggling with it. I've made it to 60% but I'm skimming more than I'm reading now so I'm going to mark it as DNF. For some reason the story just isn't engaging me--and I know I'm in the minority here. There's not enough happening. It has it's moments where it picks up, but there's not enough for me. Maybe it's because I'm swaying more toward romance than paranormal at this minute, but I think it's more suited to a younger audience really. I may return to it at some point but for now I need to move on as I should have finished a book this length within a day, not spend a week and only reach 60%.

DNF

Review ~ Revved (Revved #1) by Samantha Towle

Paperback purchased by myself

Release Date: March 17th 2015

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
Race car mechanic Andressa "Andi" Amaro has one rule—no dating drivers. With a good reason behind the rule, she has no plans on breaking it.

Carrick Ryan is the bad boy of Formula One. With a face and body that melts panties on sight, and an Irish lilt that leaves women on their knees, begging for more. He races hard and parties harder. The youngest driver to ever sign with F1, he’s still at the top of his game five years later, breaking hearts on and off the tracks.

When Andi is offered her dream job working in the glamorous world of F1, she leaves her home in Brazil, positive she can handle working for Carrick. But she’s not prepared for the off-the-chart sparks that fly the moment they meet.

Now, Andi has a crush on the one man she can’t have, and her resolve is about to be put to the test, because Carrick has decided he wants Andi, and he plans on testing her to the very limit…

My Opinion

When I bought this I didn't realise I'd already ready and enjoyed some of this author's previous work. Instead I purchased it based on the sample and Formula 1 premise seeing as I'm a fan of the sport. It's needless to say I was pleasantly surprised when I found out I'd read Trouble late last year so knew what I was in for with this author.

I enjoyed Revved more than I did Troubled. It's one of those books I kept telling myself I'd only read another chapter of and then go on to read half the book, especially once it got going. I had a hard time putting it down and enjoyed the overall story. I've never read anything about drivers before so it was unique in that sense and it was a nice change from all of the MMA or cop books I've been reading lately.

As for the characters I liked Andi, especially at the start. I liked her feisty attitude and did think there was chemistry between her and Carrick. I did think she gave it up a bit too easily, but I still enjoyed it. Carrick on the other hand was the typical player. He was hot, demanding, and knew what he wanted. He was also a bit of an asshole at times but you still love him. I would have liked more detail on his past and how it affected him emotionally as I thought that came kind of out of the blue, but for the most part I liked him and the changing relationship between the two. I believed in Andi's emotions and reasons for doing what she did.

The only other thing I have to say about the story was I was slightly disappointed by the lack of racing. The chapters move around the different races on the calendar but we never got much detail. I know that's because this was a romance essentially, but I felt it could have been added slightly more as it's not common right now for me. Also, there were small things that didn't feel realistic with the racing. I doubt you'd notice them if you're not a fan of the sport, but they did bug me slightly as it's not something that would happen.


Overall though this is the second book I've read by this author an I've enjoyed both. For the most part this was an easy, laid back read I could enjoy over two days and I'd recommend it.

4

Review ~ Beautiful Redemption (The Maddox Brothers #2) by Jamie McGuire

Paperback purchased by myself

Release Date: January 27th 2015 

Description:
If A Maddox boy falls in love, he loves forever. But what if he didn't love you, first? 

No-nonsense Liis Lindy is an agent of the FBI. Deciding she is married only to her job, she breaks off her engagement and transfers from Chicago to the field office in San Diego. She loves her desk. She is committed to her laptop. She dreams of promotions and shaking hands with the director after cracking an impossible case. 

Special Agent in Charge Thomas Maddox is arrogant, unforgiving, and ruthless. He is tasked with putting away some of the world’s toughest criminals, and he is one of the best the Bureau has to offer. Though, as many lives as he’s saved, there is one that is beyond his reach. Younger brother Travis is faced with prison time for his involvement in a basement fire that killed dozens of college students, and the media want a conviction. Travis’s only savior is his unusual tie to the mob. In a deal that will spare his brother, Thomas has agreed to recruit Travis into the FBI. 

Liis is stubborn, defiant, and yet somehow softens Thomas’s rough edges, making her the perfect agent to accompany him to the ceremony. Posing as a couple, they must travel to Travis & Abby’s beach vow renewal and give him the news, but when the pretending ends, she finds herself wondering if they were pretending at all. 

In the second installment of the Maddox Brothers books, experience firsthand the mysterious world of the elusive Thomas Maddox, and how good love can be when you’re not the first, but the last.

My Opinion

It took me awhile to read Beautiful Disaster. In fact I read Beautiful Oblivion first because it was up on NetGalley. Whilst I've enjoyed both books in the series, I've never been all fan-girly for it. They're written well, suck you in, and arehigh up on my list of re-reads. However, they're not top. Saying that, I was glad that this author finally moved away from Travis and Abby's story--sort of--in the form of using the brother. That's what had me buying this, but I can't help but feel slightly disappointed.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed this book. However, I wish the author would change the damn time period. I'm seriously getting fed up of hearing about the fire and wedding. I knew things would centre around this before I started reading, but I'd hoped it was only minor. For me I just need some new material. I'm fed up of reading the same scenes but from different characters in the book.

Besides that I did wish the pacing had been better too. It took way too long for the characters to realise and admit their feelings, and I was skimming more towards the end. I know why the author did it, but I didn't buy the growth and Thomas leaving Cami behind. The constant arguments over his feelings became repetitive.

Overall, I know it doesn't sound like it, but I did enjoy Beautiful Redemption. My problems come from it not living up to the previous books because of the repetition. Maybe if there was a bigger gap between when I read them it wouldn't be so bad, but hopefully the next book is something fresh.

3

Review ~ Lion's Share (Wildcats, #1) by Rachel Vincent

Paperback purchased by myself.

Release Date: February 23rd 2015

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
Abby Wade has a dangerous secret. 

Two months ago, she disobeyed an order, but instead of kicking her out of the Pride, Jace offered her a job. Since then, she’s been battling a completely inappropriate crush on the young, hot Alpha. But when accepting his job offer seems like the only way to keep her skeletons safely in their closet, Abby doesn’t hesitate. 

Jace Hammond has a big problem. 

A rogue is slaughtering humans in his territory, and he must eliminate the threat before the entire shifter species is exposed. There could not be a worse time for Abby to accept a job he only offered as a boost to her confidence. Abby is smart, beautiful, and resilient—more than enough to distract any man from the mission. Unfortunately, she may just be the worst enforcer ever to hold the title. 

As they hunt the killer, Abby’s secret becomes a threat to Jace’s authority and to her own life. But the real danger is the grip she has on his twice-shy heart.

My Opinion

I've put off buying this for awhile because of work issues, but finally I've got round to reading it. Rachel Vincent is one of my favourite authors and I've read every book she's released. She's on my auto-buy everything so it's needless to say I was excited to see this spin off, especially because I loved Shifters.

I'm not going to say too much as I don't want to ruin anything, but for those of you who've read and enjoyed the Shifters series this has everything you would have liked. I will admit it took some time to get into and remember everything as it's been a while since I finished Shifters. However, I was soon drawn back into it.

I always liked Jace and I'm glad he got his own story. I always wanted to know what happened to him after the end of Alpha and this book opens up a lot of new strand that have set up an interesting premise for the spin off.

I loved Abby's strength and how she had Jace wrapped around her finger. Her secrets were slightly predictable, but I enjoyed following the story. It was full of action and hot, intense emotions between couples.


Overall, I'd definitely recommend this. However, I'd recommend reading Shifters first if you never have. The author said she wrote this for Shifter fans and that comes across in the writing. There are a lot of things left unexplained whereby the author assumes you have knowledge from the previous books. A great read.

4.5

Cover Reveal + Giveaway ~ The Phoenix Shadow (Arcadian Wars #2) by M.H. Soars

Title: The Phoenix Shadow

Release date: July 28, 2015

Series: Arcadian Wars #2 (this book is not a standalone) 

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance 

Other books in this series:The Fall of Arcadia (prequel) and The Prophecy of Arcadia (book one) 

Format: Ebook and print 

Synopsis:

When the walls of lies begin closing in, who do you trust?

There is nothing worse than failure, especially one that results in your school being attacked by a ruthless enemy. Still reeling from the aftermath of the previous night, Sam and her cousins must deal with another crisis: Alexia has run away.

To top it off, there are new players in town. The young Arcadians will be forced to work closely with the prestigious Nox Elite. But they will soon find out that nursing a bruised ego is nothing compared to fighting a faceless enemy, battling personal demons, and dealing with revelations that will forever change their lives.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22311440-the-phoenix-shadow


AUTHOR BIO:

M. H. Soars always knew creative arts were her calling but not in a million years did she think she would become an author. With a background in fashion design she thought she would follow that path. But one day, out of the blue, she had an idea for a book. One page turned into ten pages, ten pages turned into a hundred, and before she knew, her first novel, The Prophecy of Arcadia, was born.

M. H. Soars resides in Florida with her husband and baby daughter. She is currently working on the Arcadian Wars series, the Elements series, and the Love Me, I'm Famous series.

To learn more about M. H. Soars and her projects you can visit her website, sign up for her newsletter, or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Connect with M. H. Soars:
Website: http://www.mhsoars.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mhsoars
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mhsoars
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/mhsoars
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/mhsoars

Giveaway

Enter Here

Review ~ Hunt (Wildcats 0.5) by Rachel Vincent

ebook downloaded for free from Smashwords.

Release Date: October 20th 2014

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
It’s been more than four years since Abby Wade survived capture and torture by a quartet of rogue shifters. Back then she was a scared kid, just trying to survive.

Now Abby is all grown up, and if she’s learned anything from training with Faythe Sanders, the world’s first female Alpha, it’s that she can take care of herself—and anyone else who comes along. So when her college roommate is abducted from a campsite deep in the Appalachian woods, Abby knows exactly how to get her back…

The rules of the hunt are simple. Kill or be killed.

Abby Wade is not ready to die.

My Opinion

This was a quick, easy read. It was more violent than I expected and led well into the first book in the spin off, Lion's Share. Whilst it's not necessary Hunt to read to understand book one it provides all of the background information and will give you a better understanding. I enjoyed the set up and moved straight on to Lion's Share.

4

Review ~ The Gentleman Mentor (Lessons with the Dom, #1) by Kendall Ryan

ebook purchased by myself.

Release Date: May 5th 2015

Description:
He calls himself the Gentleman Mentor. 

Just reading his ad makes me feel more alive than I have in years. 

He promises to teach me the art of seduction … and show me the most sinfully erotic pleasures. He’s going to help me become the kind of confident, sexy woman men can’t ignore.

Six lessons … with the most gorgeous man … who happens to be a Dom. 

The only problem … now that I’ve experienced his brand of delectable domination will anyone else ever compare? 

She’s a client. That’s all. 

Or it should be. 

But with every lesson, she’s becoming more. 

The secrets I’m hiding behind the image of the Gentleman Mentor make telling her the truth—and having anything real—impossible. 

I’m training her for another man, and that fact guts me every time I think of it. 

I know she’s not mine … but part of me won’t accept that. 

Am I willing to risk it all to keep her? 

THE GENTLEMAN MENTOR is a full-length standalone novel.

My Opinion

Wow ... That was hot.

I first saw this book when it was on tour. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get a review copy, yet it stayed in my mind so I finally purchased it without realising it was only released that day. It's safe to say I wasn't disappointed.

This book had me hooked from page one. It was hot, steamy, and impossible to tear myself away from. Hale was a great character. I loved his control and dominance, but I also liked how his thoughts and emotions changed throughout the book. There was plenty of chemistry between him and Brielle right from the offset and it only got more intense.


Overall I enjoyed this book. I finished it in one sitting and can't wait for more. It's the first book I've read by this author and definitely won't be the last. I'd highly recommend it.

5