Review ~ Knox: Volume 2 (Knox #2) by Cassia Leo

ebook purchased by myself

Description:
Now that Rebecca knows Knox’s plans, she wants to know how her ex-boyfriend August fits into it all. But it’s hard to keep track of the many intricacies of Knox’s vendetta when Rebecca is consumed with her lust for him. Her every waking minute is spent trying to push her desire for Knox to the background, but he’s making that very difficult. He’s invaded her life. Knox is everywhere. And so is August.

Just when Rebecca begins to feel as though she’s hit a comfortable stride in her relationship with Knox, she receives news that will make her question Knox’s intentions and change her life forever.

My Opinion

It took me a while to convince myself to continue this series because of the length. However, when I saw the box set available, I thought I'd give it a go considering I enjoyed book 1 when it was free.

Therefore, because of the gap between reading book 1 and 2, this instalment surprised me with the direction it took. It had all of the qualities that I liked from Knox 1 and this author and the ending had me reading on straight away, even when I needed to stop.

4

Review ~ Crave (Fire and Ice #1) by Violet Vaughn

ebook received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: May 15th 2014

Description:
Casey Cassidy is a girl who gets what she wants. 

Determined to get over Jason and find a man that wants a family, she moves to Breckenridge, Colorado.

Landing a job skiing every day, Casey finds Blaine Johnson - a wish come true. A hunky surfer turned ski instructor, he checks off every requirement on her list.

Except for the one she forgot to add.

Blaine has a secret. A secret so big it keeps intimacy smoldering, when Casey needs fire. No matter how hard she tries, the embers won’t ignite. Can she live without passion to get the family she craves?

When Jason comes to town, Casey questions everything she wished for. Their consuming love threatens to explode and ruin her dream. Will she have to choose between a family and the love of her life?

My Opinion

I've seen this book around a few times and it's been one that I haven't been able to make my mind up about reading. This was mostly down to the "wanting kids" aspect as it's not my favourite topic. Anyone who knows me will know that I'm not the biggest fan of children (might be my age) so this put me off reading Crave for a while as I thought it would be hard to identify with the main character. However, when I saw it up on NetGalley the cover pulled me in and I couldn't resist requesting it.

Overall I enjoyed the story. The focus on the children wasn't as prominent as I'd expected and when kids were included, they were cute--especially Benjamin. I also liked the romances and thought the development with Casey and Jason was good. I didn't think I was going to like him at the start due to being there for Casey, who dumped him, and I thought her leading him on would bug me, but it didn't. It all worked out in a beautiful setting and I liked the playfulness between them. When they had a laugh it put a smile on my face as they grew.

Saying that though, despite enjoying Crave, I really think it needs to go through some content editing. There were parts that dragged on and seemed unnecessary. Sometimes there was great length of detail on such ordinary tasks that I felt could have been summed up in one sentence without losing any imagery. Because of this, the pacing was a bit off which wasn't helped by the short chapters and jumps in time. The timeline is logical, but I felt as soon as I was getting into a scene it cut off and I was suddenly reading about a month down the line. The book has potential, but I think it could lose some of the more day-to-day activities to make it flow better.

Similarly, I think it would have helped with the Blaine situation. It was obvious what was up with Blaine and I seemed to be waiting forever for Casey to get it. I'd have either liked more secrecy or for the book to get to the reveal quicker.


In general though, Crave was a good read. The setting is beautiful, the characters are interesting and it did put a smile on my face at times. I'm still on the fence about reading Release but we'll see as the author and series definitely has potential.

Review ~ Trial by Fire (The Worldwalker Trilogy #1) by Josephine Angelini

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: August 28th 2014

Publisher: Macmillian Children's Books

Description:
Love burns. Worlds collide. Magic reigns.
This world is trying to kill Lily Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies keep her from enjoying many of the experiences that other teenagers take for granted...which is why she is determined to enjoy her first (and perhaps only) high-school party. But Lily's life never goes according to plan, and after a humiliating incident in front of half her graduating class Lily wishes she could just disappear.

Suddenly Lily is in a different Salem - one overrun with horrifying creatures and ruled by powerful women called Crucibles. Strongest and cruellest of all the Crucibles is Lillian . . . Lily's identical other self in this alternate universe. This new version of her world is terrifyingly sensual, and Lily is soon overwhelmed by new experiences.

Lily realizes that what makes her weak at home is exactly what makes her extraordinary in New Salem. It also puts her life in danger. Thrown into a world she doesn't understand, Lily is torn between responsibilities she can't hope to shoulder alone, and a love she never expected.

But how can Lily be the saviour of this world when she is literally her own worst enemy?

My Opinion

I will admit that when I first saw this book announced, I didn't really care what it was about, I knew I'd read it. Despite having drawn mixed emotions in me throughout her Starcrossed series, Josephine Angelini is one of the authors whose books I'd just buy without reading the blurb. However, I am glad this book went up on NetGalley and I was given the chance to read/trial it in advance to see if it was for me. It's no secret that I'm not really a fan of witches in novels so I was a little wary going into this book as to whether I'd like it. However, I decided to give the author a chance because I've loved her writing in the past and I'm so glad I did--I will definitely be buying the paperback!

Trial by Fire surprised me. It was different yet similar in ways to other books I've read. But, overall it was a refreshing and original book that combined a lot of elements into an interesting world. I loved how the author link in different dimensions that play out every alternative, spirit walking and created a location that felt both modern and medieval. I really wasn't expecting what I got and it kept me hooked all of the way through. I would have liked a little more in the world building as I did feel some parts lacked detail in the overall creation but in general things were explained well, in great detail--especially explanations.

Similarly I thought the characters were crafted well. I grew to like Lily and Rowan and thought how their bond developed was believable. I also liked that the book started in our version of a world before Lily was transported into another Salem. It didn't throw you into anything and built intrigue into what was happening with her. I found the crucible concept and using certain materials and energy to create something an interesting premise and the science behind it felt believable.

Overall, I really didn't expect to like Trial by Fire as much as I did. I went in interested because of the author but I only though it would be an okay read due to my past experiences with witches. However, it turned around my opinion very quickly and had me glued to the pages. I will definitely be waiting for book 2 as that ending was just mean! I would highly recommend any book by this author.

4.5 

Cover Reveal, Excerpt & Giveaway ~ The Moment of Letting Go by J. A. Redmerski

I'm so pleased to be hosting this cover reveal today. I love this author and she is one of the few who have managed to make me cry, so I can't wait to read this.

Enjoy everyone!

S

x

The Moment of Letting Go

Release Date: April 14th 2015

Description:
New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author J. A. Redmerski brings us a heart-wrenching, stand-alone new adult novel that fans of her blockbuster The Edge of Never are sure to fall in love with. In THE MOMENT OF LETTING GO Sienna Murphy finally lands her dream job. It's everything she's ever wanted...or so she thought. When she's sent on a business trip to Hawaii, she meets Luke Everett, a guy who makes her want to forget all her responsibilities and give in to the promise of all the happiness they could have together. As their passion grows, Luke makes Sienna start to question whether the carefully constructed life she leads is really as perfect as it seems.

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Excerpt

He kisses me passionately for three brief seconds, his hands gripping the sides of my face, and we’re both breathless when he says, “I wanted to tell you about Landon. I wanted to tell you a lot of things, but I knew you had to go home and none of it would’ve mattered.”

ARC Review ~ Her Perfect Game (Hot & Nerdy #2) by Shannyn Schroeder

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: October 27th 2014

Publisher: eKensington

Description:
Spring break is supposed to be a week of fun in the sun for three childhood friends about to graduate from college. But one of them is ready to get her game on somewhere else…
Charlie Castle is an expert archer and a fierce warrior—in her favorite video game, anyway. But college life was a program she couldn't quite master. To land a cybertech job without a degree, she's entering a "hackfest" over spring break—where she also hopes to meet the sweet gamer who's been flirting with her online. Instead, she runs into the hot guy who walked away years ago, and can't fight the desire that comes rushing back. 

Jonah Best has never gotten over Charlie, whose kisses were always as deliciously creative as her coding. But now that they're face to face again, he doesn't know how to admit that her online admirer is really him—or how to convince her that he's offering her a job for her incredible skills, not her sex appeal. Can Jonah cut through their communication glitches and persuade Charlie that the next level up for them should be forever?

My Opinion

After enjoying the first instalment in this series, I was eager to read about another character from the author's cast. Her Best Shot was a quick, easy, and fun read so I was hoping Her Perfect Game would follow suit. And in essence it did.

Overall, the plot was fun, fast-paced, and interesting. I liked that Charlie wasn't the typical girl you get in romance novels. She was geeky and had an attitude. The hacker element to the book was different and it was a nice change of setting with the role-playing online.

Similarly, I liked the romance as a whole. The general theme behind it was good; it kept me interested as the two of them reconnected and then had to face certain secrets coming out. Because of the short length, I did feel it was all a bit to quick and that Charlie bent to Jonah's will too easily. I would have liked a bit more build up before she jumped into bed with him. As well as that the ending irritated me. It just stopped when I was expecting more. It all felt very rushed and abrupt, leaving me with a few questions an little satisfaction. I wanted more of a natural resolve and proper forgiveness--it all felt too easy.

Saying that though, this was an enjoyable, easy read. It was quick and engaging, I just wanted a little more.

3