Review ~ The Bargain (Vegas Cartel #1) by Lisa Cardiff

ebook received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: March 17th 2015

Publisher: Limitless Publishing LLC

Description:
Three weeks, twenty-one days, or five hundred and four hours…

That’s all it took to derail my life and twist it into something unrecognizable. One moment I had Evan, the man I thought I’d marry. The next moment shattered the illusion.

Now I have no one.

Except him. 

Ryker Vargas, and I don’t really have him. He’d never belong to any one but himself. He sucked me into a web of lies and now it’s too late. I took the bait. I’m a prisoner of the Vargas Cartel.

I never thought I’d be another statistic, another girl abducted in a foreign country, my entire future washed away by an impulsive, split second in time.

But it’s true. 

My name is Hattie Covington and I’m a statistic, but statistics never tell the whole story.

My Opinion

These types of reviews are always the hardest to write. When I love or dislike a book it's easy. However when a novel draws little emotion from me I always find it hard to write something.

I liked the idea behind the book, but it just didn't live up to my expectations. For me it was underdeveloped in the creation of the cartel and I found it all rather hard to believe. I wanted to like this book, but it had me rolling my eyes and questioning what was written constantly. The members of the cartel revealed way too much information, they weren't cruel enough, their actions seemed odd, and they seemed rather disorganised. I mean, wouldn't the main villa be flooded with guards? How would one untrained woman escape so much?

Similarly, the action scenes weren't believable. How can one guy take out 3 armed men without one of them having a chance to shoot him? It was all a bit Hollywood rather than realistic, and with a backdrop of drug cartels it needed that ruthless brutality. These types of people don't mess around and it was all too hesitant.

Also, I didn't buy the romantic element. I understand Stockholm syndrome but it all seemed too quick. If someone drugged me, bound me, and kidnapped me, they'd have to do more than Ryker did before I was asking for sex. I didn't buy the time scale and the writing style felt repetitive, which made it hard to care or stay engaged.


Overall, although it wasn't a bad read, it just wasn't for me. I found it hard to believe in or connect with and thought it needed more development. I've read better books in this genre that have solid world building. Although it ends on a cliff hanger it hasn't really made me want to read more. It may be for you if you like simpler plots, but it didn't work for me.

2

ARC Review ~ The Truth About Jack by Jody Gehrman

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: April 14th 2015

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Description:
Dakota McCloud has just been accepted into a prestigious art school. Soon she'll leave behind the artists' colony where she grew up―hippie dad, tofu since birth, yurt―and join her boyfriend and best friend on the East Coast. It was the plan…until Dakota finds out her boyfriend and best friend hooked up behind her back. 

Hurt and viciously betrayed, Dakota pours out her heart on a piece of paper, places it in a bottle, and hurls it into the ocean. But it doesn't quite go where she expects…

Jack Sauvage finds the bottle washed up on the shore and responds to Dakota's letter. Except what if his straight-laced life doesn’t jive with the free-spirited girl he’s only seen from afar? As Jack creates a persona he believes she’ll love, they slowly fall for each other with each new letter. Now Jack is trying to find a way to make this delicate, on-paper romance happen in real life…without revealing his deception.

My Opinion

So I took a punt on this book. It was a bit of a gamble but it sounded like an okay read. However, it ended up irritating the hell out of me.

The Truth About Jack revolves around the main character, Dakota, having thrown a bottle with a letter into the sea after finding out her boyfriend cheats on her with her best friend. It's then found by a guy (Jack) who writes back to her but uses a false name. I thought this part of the book was interesting and slightly different. The letters between the two were cute, but that was about it.

Everything else in the book felt incredibly immature. The characters were childish--Dakota especially--and also under developed. We were told a lot of things about both of them with regards to their past, yet there was never any emotional connection that led me to engage with them. It was just statements that felt liked they'd been placed because someone said there needed to be more background information. Moreover, the character's reactions to all of the problems was irritating. They felt rather blasé about everything if I'm honest, like the problems were nothing. 

Dakota's moods, attitudes, and reactions to the amount of guys supposedly wanting her did my head in. Also none of the secondary characters were developed besides coming off as creeps. Similarly, Jack's character was weak. He was a wimp when it came to saying things yet he'd fight Miles? I just don't buy it. Also, the fact that he was lying put me of liking him.

This was just one of those books that had me rolling my eyes. The whole thing could have been avoided with a single conversation yet it was dragged out to unnecessary lengths. For me unrealistic. Sure, some parts were cute and made me smile, but it wasn't enough to get over the annoyances.


Overall, this was a gamble. It was an easy read that's probably suited to a younger audience. However, for me it was childish, unbelievable, and lacked development. Things were dragged out too long and I found myself getting more annoyed the more I read.

2

Review ~ Ruin Me (Nova #5) by Jessica Sorensen

ebook downloaded from Amazon for free.

Release Date: January 15th 2015

Description:
A part time student, CNA, and caretaker for her slightly deranged mother, Clara McKiney doesn’t have time for a relationship. That’s why her friends with benefits arrangement with sexy and ridiculously charming Jax Hensley works perfectly. 

But Jax has other ideas.

The moment Jax met Clara he was instantly drawn to her wittiness, confidence, and gorgeous smile. Even though he agreed to the friends with benefits arrangement, he secretly hopes for more than their weekend hook ups.

When Jax's estranged mother mysteriously disappears, he sees an opportunity to spend more time with Clara. After convincing her to return home with him, a new agreement is made. One road trip and week together to find out why his mom vanished into thin air. 

Things are about to get complicated.

My Opinion

I liked this read as much as Wreck Me. It was a good continuation and whilst there isn't as much drama, I enjoyed it.

The characters were once again great. Jax put a smile on my face more than once and I liked the gradual opening up of Clara.

The story line kept me hooked and I thought the pace was just about right. I did wish for a little more drama with Marcus, but that was about it.

Overall it was an enjoyable read. I'm definitely going to have to go back through the series to read the books I haven't.

4

Review ~ Unspoken by Brenda Rothert

ebook received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: October 19th 2014

Description:
Palmer Sinclair was on the edge of happily ever after when she broke off her engagement to Brady Grant. The end of their relationship marked the beginning of a painful solitary journey for her. Though she makes places beautiful with her work as an interior designer, the rest of her life is anything but beautiful – it’s slowly pulling her under.

Brady, a contractor, is swiftly building his business into an empire. Work is a faithful companion that never lets him down like Palmer did. When he sees women now, it’s on his terms. And his terms are simple: just sex. He won’t let a woman break him again.

Palmer is barely holding it together when she and Brady are unexpectedly paired on a project after a year apart. The pull between them is stronger than ever, but the fallout from their reconnection leaves them both wondering if maybe some things are better left unsaid.

My Opinion

I may have deviated from my reading order with this book, but I couldn't wait to start it. It's what I felt like reading do I thought what the heck.

Anyway, Unspoken was a quick, but moving, read that kept me hooked. I finished it in one sitting and although it was enjoyable, it was also touching.

The author mentions in the acknowledgments that it stems from personal losses and I thought the emotion came across in her writing. I felt the issues were dealt with sensitively and in a manner that felt realistic. The time frame over which the illness progressed and the fact the author didn't sugar coat or skip ahead gave things a believable quality and allowed you to feel for the characters. I was with Palmer every step of the way and I couldn't help but admire her strength.

Similarly, I enjoyed reading about her finding Brady again. I'm a big fan of second chance romances because I love the reconnection and this one was great. It was a nice balance to the hardships Palmer was facing and Brady was someone she could rely on.


Overall I wasn't able to put this book down. It was a touching read that moved me. The writing flowed well, was paced perfectly, and the characters draw you in.

4

Review ~ The Prophecy of Arcadia (Arcadian Wars #1) by M.H. Soars

ebook received via the author in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: January 17th 2014

Description:
Would you sacrifice friendship and love in order to save your planet?
Being a teenager is tough, especially when you have to pretend to be something you’re not, and you’re in love with someone you shouldn’t. 115 years ago, a small planet called Arcadia was invaded by a vicious alien race and nearly destroyed. Cut off from their resources, the Arcadians turned to Earth for help. A group of Arcadian explorers discovered a Prophecy that claimed their salvation lay in the hands of two children from Earth. To ensure their safety, the Arcadian Council sent their most gifted youngsters to Earth to act as protectors. Samantha is one of them.

To succeed in her mission she must learn to control her Arcadian powers and keep her true identity from her best friend, and the girl she swore to protect, Alexia. But Samantha will soon realize that nothing is as it seems. Someone is trying to prevent the Prophecy from taking place and the prophecy boy hasn't been found yet. There is also a new drug circulating at school that is turning students into freakishly strong menaces.

To make matters worse, distractions keep getting in her way. Such as her love/hate relationship with her “cousin” Matthew. Or her confused feelings toward popular and mysterious Julian. She wants nothing more than to be free to live her life. But the survival of Arcadia depends on her and her friends. Free will is not an option.

*Note from the author: Due to strong language and mature content this book is recommended to readers 17+. This is a Paranormal Romance novel.

My Opinion

I've had this book for awhile. I even started it once, but when I got 5% into it I stopped because I wasn't in the right frame of mind to read it. I think it was the sci-fi element that put me of initially. As most of you know I love paranormal but I'm very selective when it comes sci-fi. However, this book surprised and I'm glad I finally found the time to read it.

Having read the prequel to this novel, I was a lot more aware of what to expect in terms of the science fiction element. I felt I could go into the book with some previous knowledge. What I didn't expect was for this book to be less sci-fi and more of a romance.

I found myself hooked by The Prophecy of Arcadia and ending up reading it in two sittings. It's written in three POV, which gives a good overview of the story from different perspectives and it also allowed the author to set up a lot of situations without other characters knowing while the reader did.

What I liked most about The Prophecy of Arcadia was that it wasn't overly complicated. The author kept new terms, powers, and Arcadian subjects to a minimum and gradually introduced them. It allowed you to engage with the story and get to know the characters without becoming overwhelmed. It also created mystery and tension that increased with the narrative. I am hoping powers and such are developed more in book 2, but there are some interesting concepts created here.

As for the romance, although it was instant, I liked it. It did feel a bit high school-y at times, but the characters were enough for me to push that to one side. I liked Ethan, and Alexia had a fiery personality that made her interesting to follow. When we first met Ethan I was unsure as to how everything was going to develop (you'll have to read it to know why) because I know this is a series. However, that quickly became clear and I was surprised by how much day-to-day activity was included on Earth.


Overall, I'm glad I gave this book a second chance when I was in a better mood. It surprised me with how much I enjoyed it and for those looking for sci-fi on the mild side I'd recommend it.

4