Monthly Archives:: March 2013

Review: Misguided Angel (Blue Bloods #5) by Melissa de la Cruz

March 31, 2013 Uncategorized 1

Misguided Angel (Blue Bloods #5) by Melissa de la Cruz

Published
October 26th 2010
by Hyperion

Hardcover, 1st Edition, 265 pages
Series: Blue Bloods


Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Heat Level: Sweet
Source: Borrowed from a friend

Amazon | The Book Depository | Goodreads 

Back in
New York, Mimi has been elected Regent of a crumbling coven. Struggling
with her heartache over the loss of Kingsley and with her overwhelming
desire to destroy Jack, she must focus all of her energy on a perilous
new threat. Vampires are being abducted and their captors are planning
to burn them alive online…for all the world to see. Help arrives in
the form of Deming Chen, a Venator from Shanghai, who must untangle the
web of deceptions before the killers strike again.

As the young
vampires struggle for the survival of the coven, they uncover a deadly
secret, a truth first discovered by Schuyler’s mother during the
Renaissance but kept buried for centuries. And as the Blue Blood enclave
weakens yet further, fate leads Schuyler to a terrible choice that will
ultimately map the destiny of her heart.

/sigh
It always pains me to give a book one
star, but this time it had to be done. Blue Bloods series and I have
had a rocky relationship from the start. I liked the premise and
everything was looking so promising and somewhat good and then it
went downhill from there with countless cliffhangers and unanswered
questions in every book.
I was sorely disappointed with this
one, and I have decided that this series is no longer for me and I
shall stop reading it before I start throwing the books. That is how
mad I was after I was done reading this one.
Why?
Well, because it was written a bit
differently. The beginning starts with Sky and Jack after they part
away from poor Oliver and apparently the person that was suppose to
be protecting them, was overbearing, strict and controlling. Bad
adult…bad! Oh..not to mention, if they wanted to leave her
protection, the people had the orders to dispose of them /arches
eyebrow…
Then, came Mimi’s part. Apparently she
is the new leader of the New York Coven… really, a 17 year old
girl, who is immature and still thinks about her cover girl looks is
now the leader of a coven that is falling apart. I am sorry, why
isn’t there an adult who can take the responsibility? How about
Mimi’s mother? I understand she is suppose to be this powerful angel,
but in the present, she is a 17 year old child who still throws
tantrums…
In example of her throwing stuff at
Oliver, just because he mouthed off to her. Than, when she needs his
help, asks for it and he refuses she doesn’t understand why he won’t
take her order. Oh…gee…maybe because for the past five books you
treated him like dirt?
It was nice to see her finally grow
some respect for Oliver in this book, so that was a pleasant
surprise. So now Mimi and Oliver are working together because someone
is kidnapping vampires and posting videos of them online and killing
them. So between damage control, Mimi tries to find who is doing
this. Goes against the rules of the coven and puts a lot of vampires
in danger and fails to save the people anyway..

So she calls in on Deming Chen a venator and a truth seeker or
seer… sorry, but wasn’t it mentioned that they are rare and far
apart? I was under the impression that there was only one in this
lifetime. But okay, I can live with that. What I cannot understand
was the need of introducing a whole new storyline in book five that
had NOTHING to do with the other books. There was no Bliss in this
one, or what she was doing. Sky’s mother was not in this one either,
so we have no clue what happened there. Things are being introduced
that are new and just add to the headache of unanswered questions.. I
was mad at this book when I finished it and was no where close at
finding out things I wanted to know…
Therefore I save myself a headache and
part ways with this series….
It was just not for me. Of course other
might feel otherwise, but I guess I just did not understand.

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Review: Seven-Night Stand by Nicole Helm

March 29, 2013 Uncategorized 5

Seven-Night Stand by Nicole Helm 

Published
February 6th 2013
by Entangled Publishing, LLC 


ebook, 217 pages
Series: The Harrington Airfield

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Heat Level: Steamy
Source: 

I received this book from a publicist in exchange of an honest review.

Amazon | B&N | Goodreads 
This book contains very Mature Content Advisory, must be 18+ 

Nate can’t deny his attraction to Vivvy,
but no way can he let this show take off. The Harrington family is
riddled with secrets, and she wants it all out in the open. For the next
seven days, he’s going to stop at nothing to keep her out of his
family’s business, even if it means keeping her distracted in his
bedroom.

 


Vivvy Marsh is a reality TV Scout with a job that she really loves on
the line. When she is sent to Demo Kansas to scout the next big hit,
she finds herself stuck in the middle of no where trying to convince
a sexy pilot that the show would not be a bad idea for his business.
Nate Harrington loves his families business, loves flying and loves
the little company that his family built from ground up. When his
good for nothing father pitches Harrington up for a show, Nate ends
up battling to keep his family secrets away from the woman who cannot
help but find attractive and out of reality TV.
Seven-Night Stand was a cute read. I
have to admit, I wasn’t feeling the attraction between Vivvy and Nate
at the beginning and thought they jumped into bed and under the
sheets a little too quick for my taste. The deal ended up being seven
nights of them exploring the attraction between them under the
sheets, while Vivvy gets to know the Harrington business and
convinces Nate to sign up for the show. It wasn’t until their
relationship built, secrets came out, and the two grew closer did I
really see a spark and a connection between the two and when it
happened, it was very cute. Vivvy got to side the side of his family
and more then she bargained for.
I loved Nate, he was kind of charming
and hot in his own kind of way. You can tell he really cares about
his family and has no interest of selling them out for a TV show,
even if the show ‘promises’ to bring in more clients which would be
good for the business. The family dynamics of the Harrington family
are really deep and in no way perfect but the way Nate handles
everything drew me in. It was a side of him that wasn’t perfect, that
was very much human and very much Nate Harrington.
I warmed up to Vivvy over time. It took
a while, but Nate was just what she needed over time to break through
the cold character she carried with her through the book. I was mad
at her in the end, for trashing what she believed in and practically
begging Nate to do the show even after she knew the fact that he
didn’t want his family exploited in that way and become the joke of
reality TV. Still, it ended on a high note and it was adorable. I
enjoyed the read and enjoyed the flaws that both of these characters
carried, they weren’t perfect, and that’s what made the book very
likeable.

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Full Moon Bites Tours: Descent of Blood and Ascent of Blood by Elizabeth Marx Reviews + Giveaway!!

March 28, 2013 Uncategorized 2

Full Moon Bites Tours: Descent of Blood and Ascent of Blood by Elizabeth Marx Reviews + Giveaway!!

Title:
Descent of Blood



Series:
The Red Veil Series, Prequel



Author:
Elizabeth Marx



Genre:
Paranormal romance



Publisher:
Self published



Format:
Ebook, Paperback



Length:
50K words

This book contains very Mature Content Advisory, must be 18+



Purchase:
Amazon
| B&N
|


Book
Description: 



When
times are darkest, some vampires desire more than blood …
England,
1465. Mortal men clash in the War of the Roses for the English crown,
while vampire warriors’ move undetected among their ranks, savoring
the flow of blood that battlefields provide.
Vampire
prince, Severian Pearce, fears the revelation of the immortal clans
to humankind should King Henry fall from power. While in pursuit of
Henry’s enemies, Severian comes to the aid of Meridian Neville, a
human woman he craves—and not for the scent of her blood …
Meridian is torn between honoring her father’s dying wish and her
unexplainable yearning for Lord Severian. But as Severian and
Meridian work together to protect a relic hunted by mortals and
immortals alike, the red veil descends over them. This all-consuming
attraction can drive immortals to the brink of madness. Will the
existence of this powerful bond between a human and a vampire be
enough to unite the immortal clans or is the red veil a scourge set
on destroying any chance they might have of happiness?
When all
hope is lost, one vampire will fight unto death for his forbidden
love.

Descent
of Blood is a prequal to The Red Veil
Series Elizabeth Marx does a
great job capturing my attention from the first pages of introduction
in her book with her intricate writing and a grand ability for story
telling. The book takes place in England,
1465 while the mortal men are clashing in a war for the mortal
crown, the vampires pose as the warriors among the ranks in hopes of
savoring the blood spilled in the battlefields.

During his quest to keep
the vampire clans from becoming revealed during these dark times, a
vampire prince by the name of Severian
Pearce comes to the aid of a human Meridian
Neville. A human woman that he finds himself craving, but her body
she had sworn to the temple already. As Meridian and Severian work
together to protect a relic that is haunted by mortals and immortals
in hopes of using it as an advantage in a war, a deeper connection
forms between them. Severian and Meridian cannot fight the bond that
joins them together, otherwise known as the red veil.

I
have to admit I was totally confused at the beginning of the book,
especially with the fact that chapter one started from first person
perspective and then took a different turn in chapter two. I did like
the history in the book and how it was implemented into the storyline
that involved romance. It was dark, romantic, and Gothic, a totally
interesting spin on vampires – a different kind of read from the
books I have read before.

I
liked Severian, he was dark and dangerous and totally possessive. You
cannot help but admire his character for going after something that
he wants and with the restrain that it took him to get there.

Meridian
waited a long time for a man to come along to make her his wife and
eventually to have children. When nothing happened, she swore her
body away to the temple, until the vampire made room in her life and
tempts her into submission and forges one of the most strongest bonds
between them. Being kidnapped and stuck in a dark cell of a room with a vampire that has saved her life and is willing to offer her so much more, her body is just a small price to pay.

The
story was dark, and probably not for the feign of heart but I liked
the tone of it and the descriptive writing. Dark imagery and sizzling romance between Meridian and Severian. Thought I cannot help but also really like their names, different and unique! I enjoyed the plot and
the background of the Red Veil series, and was so glad to have book
one available for me to read as soon as I was done with this jewel!

Title:
Ascent of Blood



Series:
The Red Veil Series, #1



Author:
Elizabeth Marx



Genre:
Paranormal romance



Publisher:
Self published



Format:
Ebook, Paperback



Length:
90K words




This book contains very Mature Content Advisory, must be 18+ 
 



Purchase:
Amazon
| B&N
|








Book
Description: 



Sometimes,
love is conceived in the mind of a man long before it is ever
realized.






1990,
Cardiff, Wales. Vampire prince, Sebastian Pearce, has waited
six-hundred years for the right human mate. His own beloved mother
was a mortal capable of carrying immortal offspring. While vampires
no longer require live donors for sustenance, Mother Nature has
played a cruel trick on them making breeders a rare commodity. As
numbers in Sebastian’s Imperial House continue to dwindle, his
virgin bride eludes him. That is, until he happens upon a young woman
searching for information about a sacred vampire text, the Book of
Descent. Sebastian’s desire for her is more potent than anything
he’s felt for another woman, but Everleigh Marbut isn’t innocent.
She’s an American with a mind of her own, and worst of all, she’s
already carrying an immortal being. As Sebastian and Everleigh fight
their attraction to each other, they don’t realize they’re being
lured into a battle pitting medieval myth against the power of modern
science to recreate life until it’s too late.






The
destiny of his lineage, and the bond forged between them, now rests
in their acceptance of each other as they are.

Ascent
of Blood was the first book of the Red Veil series, and although the
prequel helped understand this world and vampires, it is not
necessary to follow the series.

The book takes place
years after the first one in the year 1990. This time it’s Sebastian
Pearce
a vampire prince who has waited for the right human female mate for
over six-hundred year and is looking for one that is able to breed
with vampires. Human breeders are hard to come by and over the years
have become increasingly rare, his mother happened to have been one
of those special humans that was able to breed with his vampire
father.
When Sebastian runs
into Everleigh Marbut
, a human who is researching vampires and the book of the Descent –
he experiences the electric desire that bound his mother and father
together. But the woman that he so desires is anything but innocent.
Already been with another man, Everleigh is actually already carrying
a child, but the pull of the bond is too strong the fight the
attraction.
Gosh another great
story from this wonderful author. Really enjoy her story telling
abilities. Thought once again the book started a bit confusing, I
could live with that. Actually the beginning reminded me a lot of
what had happened in the prequel when Everleigh ends up being in the
same room as Sebastian who has not fed in a few days and need either
blood or strong emotion to sooth his needs.
Everleigh is a
delightful character. She is strong, independent and comes with a lot
of baggage. Her story is very dark and sad and Sebastian just happens
to be the first one she opens her wounds up to. Their conversations
are entertaining and humorous and you cannot help but enjoy this
witty girl who truly stands out in this story. I liked Meridian in
the prequel but Everleigh was quiet a sight.
The attraction sparks
and sizzles through the book as both of the characters try to fight
against the bond between them. Everleight’s spunk drives Sebastian a
bit mad and her history is a bit to handle, which leaves him
struggling with his attraction to her. I have to admit that I kind of
liked Severian a bit better, his character was just a bit more
grounded especially when it came to Meridian, but Sebastian was a
thrill none the less.
I loved all the
different characters that made up the book, and all the other
vampires that added to the richness of the history. Thought Gothic,
and sometimes vile (due to the badie vampires that plague this book)
the writing is really wonderful. If you like vampire books (that
don’t sparkle) and looking for a dark but wonderful read with a great
storyline I’d say this series is for you.



About
the Author:



Windy
City writer, Elizabeth Marx, brings cosmopolitan life alive in her
fiction—a blend of romance, fast-paced Chicago living, and a
sprinkle of magical realism. Elizabeth resides with her husband,
girls, and two cats who’ve spelled everyone into believing they’re
really dogs. She grew up in the city, has traveled extensively, and
still says there’s no town like Chi-Town.

Today I am offering ebook copies of both books! Please be at least 18 years old or older to enter. Open Internationally. Fill out the rafflecopter below!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Review: The Practice Proposal (Suddenly Smitten, #1) by Tracy March

March 26, 2013 Uncategorized 3

The Practice Proposal

(Suddenly Smitten #1) by

 

ebook, 229 pages
Series: Suddenly Smitten

Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance
Heat Level: Sweet
Source: My own kindle copy.
 Amazon | B&N | Goodreads
 

When Frank
makes Liza a deal she can’t refuse—a bet she will fall in love with Cole
or a cool half mil goes to charity—the game is on. But neither bet on
the real feelings that surface. Could a fake fling turn into an official
forever?

I have to say even thought I am not a
fan of baseball nor do I watch it, I still very much enjoyed The
Practice Proposal and it’s sweet plot.

After winning a charity-auction date she didn’t even bid on, Liza
Sutherland ends up on a date with her families rival teams baseman
Cole Collins – a boy who she used to obsess over when the two were
teenagers.
Cole is a playboy who manages to get
involved with the wrong women at the wrong time, and get caught by
paparazzi while doing so. With his Nationals contract and future on
the line, Frank, Cole’s agent suggests Cole to settle-down – with
Liza being the perfect woman. Too bad she is no longer a teenagers
but a smart, beautiful woman that he cannot help but find himself
attached.
When his first attempt fails, Frank
steps into the mix by offering Liza five hundred thousand dollars
towards her charity if she goes out with Cole until the end of the
season. But she would only get the money if she doesn’t fall in love
with Cole by the end of their agreement.
The Practice Proposal was a wonder
story, I loved the plot and I thoroughly enjoyed the characters who
were perfect in their own ways even with their own flaws. Cole the
playboy who wasn’t sure that he could settle-down with anyone until
he reignited the passion with a girl from his past and Liza, who had
already last once a man she fell in love with. They were addictive
not to fall in love with both of them, and it was easy to root for
both Cole and Liza till the very end. Cole was wonderful to Liza and
the lengths he went to win her heart and sweep her off her feet was
as sweet as it was swoon worthy.
I liked the attraction and the history
between Cole and Liza. I also enjoyed the bit of mystery of what had
happened between Cole and Liza’s parents. Growing up poor, Cole ended
up in Liza’s dad’s camp, fortunate enough to get funding from a
anonymous donor. He was suppose to be drafted by Liza’s dad’s team
when the Nationals drafted him first. Cole relationship with Frank
was also a bit shocking, but I am glad for his happy ending.
Both of them made deals that could cost
them their hearts and you cannot help but wonder how it would all
come out. The ending was a bit sad, joyful and completely rewarding!
I didn’t need to know or enjoy baseball in order to enjoy this little
gem!

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Review: Falling Into You by Jasinda Wilder

March 22, 2013 Uncategorized 5

 Falling Into You by Jasinda Wilder

Published
March 16th 2013

ebook, 223 pages
Series: Stand-alone?

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Heat Level: Sizzling
Source:  Borrowed. Need to get a copy!

Amazon | B&N | Goodreads

This book contains very Mature Content Advisory, must be 18+

Colton
didn’t teach me how to live. He didn’t heal the pain. He didn’t make it
okay. He taught me how to hurt, how to not be okay, and, eventually,
how to let go.

 

So I guess I should write this review
while my emotions are still reeling..
Holy..
Wow…
I don’t even know what to say or how to
put everything that I am feeling in words, because this book was like
an emotional explosion all over the place. It made you fall in love,
it shattered your heart, mended it, broke it again and put the pieces
back together for the final time in the end. Thought very delicately,
it feels like it could shatter again in any moment.
From the blurb I knew that Kyle was
going to die. I guess I didn’t expect the beginning to be as long as
it was. I didn’t except to get to know Kyle and than watch him get
taken away. The amount of feelings that this book made me undergo was
insane. I don’t remember devouring a book this fast before, but I was
glued, I couldn’t put it down, I needed that happy ending after
everything I went through. The loss was so painful, I felt as empty
as Nell. Her feelings just poured out of pages after pages, and hung
so thickly in the air the entire time that I found myself holding my
breath.
I couldn’t believe how much Nells
character harbored until Colton came along…
“Feel. Grieve. Let yourself fell the
anger at the fact that he was taken from you. Feel the loss of him .
Feel the sadness and the missing him. Don’t block it out, don’t cut
so it so stop, don’t drink yourself numb. Just sit and let it all rip
you apart. And then get up and keep breathing. One breath at a time.
One day at a time. Wake up, and be shredded. Cry for a while. Then
stop crying and go about your day. You’re not okay but you’re alive,
and you will be okay, someday”
― Jasinda
Wilder, Falling
Into You
And than the fire
works went off and it was just pure electric attraction that sizzled
out of the pages (or my kindle as I should say) and I couldn’t help
but fall in love with Colton even thought my heart went out for Kyle.
I understood in the
beginning why the relationship between Kyle and Nell was so
tentative. The two grew up together, best friends every since they
could remember. Of course starting a romantic relationship would be
delicate, after all, what if something goes wrong and then you lose
the only best friend you ever knew? Still their relationship
blossomed and it was sweet and cute.
Nell and Colton on
the other hand. That relationship was raw, and powerful between two
people seeking to put back the pieces of their past lives and heart
together. And the chemistry between them, hot damn that was great! I LOVED LOVED LOVED THEM.
“I can’t be
fixed.”
“You’re committed to being broken
forever?”
“Goddamit, Colton. Why are you doing this? You don’t
know me.”
“I want to.” It’s the answer to both of her
statements.”
― Jasinda
Wilder, Falling
Into You
Some people
questioned. If Colton was Kyle’s brother why didn’t he know her then?
Well, if you really think about it, it was barely hinted but it was
there. Colton was five years old, and he left home soon out of high
school. Nell would have been 12-13 years old around that time and
really, who stays the same since 12 years old? People change. Nell
changed after the tragedy she had underwent, it changed her entire
character. Though broken, she remained trying to be strong. Plus the
author mentions that Colton barely made it out of his room most days
because he spent many hours studying for school..
Gosh I am still
swooning.. Thought the book probably isn’t for everyone. It’s New
Adult but it’s dark and deals with a lot of touchy subjects. Ranging
from using alcohol to mind your emotions, to cutting to raunchy sex
scenes. The ending had left me somewhat angry because I couldn’t
believe what had happened…but once again, it just adds to the whole
story. My heart squeezed for Nell and Colton and I felt myself
hurting for both of them, I did.
I will leave you
with one last final quote…
“I’m not just
falling in love with you, Nell. I’m falling into you. You’re an
ocean, and I’m falling in, drowning in the depths of who you are.
Like you said, it’s scary in a way, but it’s also the most
amazing thing I’ve ever experienced. You are the most amazing thing
I’ve ever experienced.”
― Jasinda
Wilder, Falling
Into You
 

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AToMR Tours: Scarlette by Davonna Juroe

March 21, 2013 Uncategorized 4



Author:
Davonna
Juroe

Title:
Scarlette

Release
date: October
12, 2012

Age
Group: Upper
Young Adult/New Adult

Genre:
Paranormal
historical fairy tale retelling



Tour
organized by: AToMR
Tours
 
Book
Description:
Scarlette,
an 18-year-old peasant, lives under a dark threat. A nightmarish
creature lurks in the surrounding forest, killing the villagers one
by one. When Scarlette’s grandmother survives an attack, Scarlette
learns that her grandmother hasn’t suffered the bite of just any
normal animal.
Now
desperate, Scarlette searches throughout her province to find a cure.
But there are those who want to keep their pasts hidden. As she
begins to uncover the dark secrets of her village, Scarlette is
befriended by a local nobleman and a woodcutter who share a gruesome
history with the beast. To save her grandmother, Scarlette must
unravel their mystery and solve an age-old crime. But as she pieces
together the clues, Scarlette finds herself torn between the two men,
both of whom want to be more than friends and hold the key to the
cure.
What
if Little Red Riding Hood was Real?
Based
on both the Grimm and Perrault versions of Little Red Riding Hood and
set against the terrifying, historic Beast of Gévaudan attacks, this
dark YA retelling blends two epic legends, giving the fabled
girl-in-the-red-cloak a new, shockingly real existence.

Wow I always loved the story of Little
Red Riding Hood, but I honestly cannot remember the last time I read
a re-telling, so this book was an interesting and a pleasant
surprise.
It involves an 18-year-old girl peasant
named Scarlette who lives in a small cottage with her mother and
grandmother and is surrounded by threat. A creature lurks in the
surrounding forest and is attacking the village and it’s people.
Scarlette’s life at home isn’t pleasant but at least she has her
grandmother and Jeanne, her best friend. When her grandmother get’s
attacked by the wolf, Scarlette soon discovers that it is not just an
ordinary wolf, and he life spirals out of control. To find the cure
for her grandmother, Scarlette teams up with an unlikely ally of a
woodcutter and is suddenly holding the attention of a nobleman –
both of the man have a history with the wolf. Both men want a little
more then just friendship.
Scarlette was an an engaging read. A
dark retelling of Little Red Riding hood laced with historic
Beast of Gévaudan attacks. The two stories come together to create a
gripping, keeping you on the edge of the seat novel and a whole new
meaning to Little Red. The story both shocked me and frustrated as
Scarlette’s demands answers and stumbles through the dark history of
her town in order to unravel them in hopes of saving her grandmother.
At times I found myself as frustrated as she was when the people who
had the answers, refused to give them up.
Davonna Juroe
does a great job sculpting Scarlette and the dark world around her,
with alluring mysterious storyline that had me wondering until the
very end. I cannot express how I felt about the ending, I am still
trying to process it as I write this. I have to say that I was almost
a wee bit disappointed at the turn of events, it left me a little
emotionally drained – but isn’t that what a good novel suppose to
do? Make it unpredictable?


About
the Author
Davonna
Juroe stays up way too late, has a severe garlic food allergy, and
loves all things 80’s. She wonders if all this could actually mean
she’s a vampire.

In
high school, she wore way too much glitter eye make-up. And in
between many Disneyland visits and reading R.L. Stine’s Fear Street
Series, she joined the high school drama department and may have
developed crushes of the serious kind on many a theater boy. After
many a broken heart (*sigh*), Davonna moved to the quaint, wooded
village of Kalispell, Montana.

When
she’s not writing, she shops @ thrift stores for
hot-pink-Jem-and-the-Holograms-inspired-outfits, eats gluten free
desserts, drinks tea out of antique teacups, and spends too much time
on deviantArt, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

Scarlette
is Davonna’s debut novel of epic-historical-fairy-tale-proportions,
which she knows the Brothers Grimm would say is wicked cool.

Currently,
she’s represented by fabulous independent agent Roxanne McHenry who
is waving wands to make all of Davonna’s dreams come true.
Social
Media links:
Pinterest

The
author is making the book FREE on Amazon the last day of the tour,
March 23rd,
for anyone interested to download

Follow the whole Tour! Click on the banner below!

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Review: Voodoo on the Bayou (Cajun Magic #1) by Elle James

March 19, 2013 Uncategorized 6

Voodoo on the Bayou

(Cajun Magic #1) by

 

ebook, 217 pages
Series: Cajun Magic

Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance
Heat Level: Steamy to Sizzling
Source:  I received this book from a publicist in exchange of an honest review.

Amazon | B&N | Goodreads 
Mature Content Advisory, must be 18+  


But there’s more to
Bayou Miste than voodoo curses and sexy late-night trysts. Dark secrets
threaten the delicate ecosystem, and there are those who would do
anything to keep those secrets hidden. Even murder…

  

/squeal

I
tried to savior this book for as long as I could and perhaps a little
too long, but it was worth every page because Voodoo On The Bayou was an
amazing read!

Craig Thibodeaux is a ladies man and a confirmed
bachelor. When he choose to tango with the wrong woman while visiting
his uncle in the Bayou Miste, the last thing he expected was for her to
be related to the strange Madame LeBieu nor that her chant was a real
voodoo curse. Now Craig is a small froggy by day and a human by night
and he has two weeks to find a woman who will love him for who he is or
he will stay the small green frog permanently.

After receiving an
anonymous toxic water sample, Elaine Smith, a research scientist leaves
New Orleans and travels to Bayou Miste to find the cause of the
pollution. Leaving behind a fiancee who had just broken her heart with
another woman, the last thing Elaine plans to encounter is a sexy Cajun
that has her heart beating a mile an hour. Craig is a fine specimen and
one who invoked feeling inside the intelligent but timid scientist that
she never knew existed – but there is still one problem – the man
refuses to commit.

Oh gosh I could just hug this book. I love the
writing, it was so well done and it reminds me the story of the Frog
Prince, except in this one, Elaine cannot know of Craig’s curse. The
book was funny, and endearing and crackled with a lot of fireworks
between Craig and Elaine. I love finding books that are so well written
that the chemistry between the two characters just falls into place like
the pieces of a puzzle.

I was absolutely amused with their first
meeting when Craig transformed into human after suffering his first day
as a frog and appeared naked in front of Elaine. Her reaction was just
priceless as their conversation that had me snickering. Throughout the
book you cannot help but root for these two and hope that Craig would
come to his bonehead senses and change his ways for the sweet Elaine as
the two try to save Bayou Miste.

The book is filled with
memorable characters ranging from a bunch of nutcase women that use to
be a part of Craig’s life, to Larry and Mo two of Craig‘s amusing
friends. And the storyline kept me entertained as well. Elaine is afraid
of water, but she is passionate enough to set aside her fears and get
into the boat with a man that made her blood boil so she could find who
and what is contaminating the waters of the Bayou and making the animals
die. I definitely recommend this read.

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Review: Deadly Sight (Code X #3) by Cindy Dees

March 19, 2013 Uncategorized 0

Deadly Sight

(Code X #3) by

 

Paperback, 288 pages
Series: One Eyed Jacks


Genre: Adult Romantic Suspense

Heat Level: Steamy
Source:

Courtesy of Harlequin through Netgalley in exchange of an honest review. 
Amazon | The Book Depository | Goodreads

Mature Content Advisory, must be 18+ 
 

It will take all of Grayson’s training
to stay focused as he and Sam uncover a dangerous high-tech conspiracy.
Because he can’t risk the consequences to national security…or the woman
who’s jump-started his will to live.

After
suffering a tragedy of losing his family, loyalty to Code X and a death
wish is the only thing that keeps Grayson going until he is sent on a
very risky assignment with the help of Sam a woman who has a way of
distracting him. Sam is special, with an extremely super-sensitive
vision that lets her see great distances in great detail, as she is part
of Code X operations. Now the two of them are thrown in a town that is
off grid in hopes of cracking down on a dangerous high-tech conspiracy
while the two go undercover.

Deadly sight was an interesting
read. Sam’s character was spunky and were different. I loved the fact
that she had yellow eyes and a little superheroish with her ability to
see things so close and so sharp. A fiery red head who is too curious
for her own good. When Sam digs into Grayson’s past because she wants to
know more about what had happened to me, she discovers more then she
was willing to face. What happened to his family was wretched and made
the readers understand why Grayson is the way he is.

Smart, a bit
vulnerable and closed up – Grayson was a man with no much else to lose
but his life. The vivid images of his wife’s and kids murder keep him up
at night, and when he is unable to deal with it – he gives himself a
time spam before he commits suicide if nothing goes right.

The
fireworks between Sam and Grayson ignite but the tension and the demons
of the gruesome death keeps Gray running in the other direction.

I
liked the book, it sometimes felt like an emotional roller coaster.
Finding out what happened to Gray’s family was awfully sad and I liked
the characters interaction.

What I didn’t like was the story got a
little confusing to me at times and in the end I did not understand why
the bad guy was doing what he was doing. I feel like that part was left
a bit unanswered. Though the author managed to pack a punch of action
in the end 😉

I also didn’t know how a person who got shot and
can barely move around without pain ends up having sex with no problem?
I’d say that would be agony…

Aside from those two things, it was a good read that I enjoyed on the side.

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Review: Killing Time (One Eyed Jacks #1) by Cindy Gerard

March 18, 2013 Uncategorized 3

Killing Time

(One Eyed Jacks #1) by

(first published January 22nd 2013)
Paperback, 384 pages
Series: One Eyed Jacks

Genre: Adult Romantic Suspense
Heat Level: Steamy
Source: Ebook

Courtesy of Pocket Books through Edelweiss in exchange of an honest review. 
Amazon | The Book Depository | Goodreads

Mature Content Advisory, must be 18+     

For
the seven years after Operation Slam Dunk went south, Mike Brown got
drunk on each anniversary. The eighth year was no different-until he
was drugged by a woman and woke up to her questions about what had
happened eight years ago in Afghanistan. CIA attorney Eva Salinas has
her own theory behind what happened to Mike’s team-which included her
husband-in Afghanistan eight years ago, and she’s determined to prove
foul play. Though she doesn’t trust him, Mike is the only person she can
turn to for help. Under an assumed name, Eva convinces Mike to assemble
a new team and go after the traitor who screwed up both their lives. As
they track down the rogue who started it all, Eva and Mike discover
they can’t live without each other. But can they stay alive while an
enemy is still on the loose?

Killing Time is the first book to a new Suspense romance One Eyed Jacks.

The
first book features Mike Brown A.K.A Primetime who was part of
Operation Slam Dunk went everything went wrong. Now for the past eight
years on the day of it’s anniversary all Mike does is get drunk, until
he was drugged by a woman and woke up in a hotel room handcuffed to the
bed post. Eva Salinas is a CIA attorney who is out to find out what
really happened to OSD and the One Eyed Jacks every since the secret
file mysteriously showed up in her office. Salina’s also happened to be
the wife of one of the man on Mike’s team who died in Afghanistan and
wants to prove the foul play.

For many years Mike felt like he
was the one responsible for his team death. Teaming up with Eva and
assembling a team to help bring down the guy behind the operations that
bought his team down.

Wonderful start to the new series. Really
loved Mike and loved his sarcastic undertones that were portrayed
throughout the book. He was passionate and loyal and a bit of an ass,
but an ass you cannot help but kind of fall in love with. Loved his
bravado, and loved his interactions with Eva, it was quiet amusing at
times.

Eva took a while to get use to. Thought I have to admit,
when got him in the face with her heel during the hotel room scene
because he was escaping – kind of made her grow on me. Thought their
coupling felt a little rushed, it wasn’t totally unrealistic.

We
also get to meet a few other men from One Eyed Jacks, and I cannot
wait to read the rest of the books to see what is in store for them.
Cindy Gerard did a great job with storytelling and venturing into the
mind of Jack, with his wholesome personality made it addictive. Thought
slow at times, there was enough action that kept the book interesting
and going for me. Also discovering my love for recent suspense novels,
and the back-stories that make ti that exciting and even exhilarating.

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Blog Tour: Baked Alaska Review + Giveaway!

March 13, 2013 Uncategorized 8

Tour Schedule

Baked Alaska by Josi S. Kilpack

An Alaskan cruise is the setting for amateur detective Sadie Hoffmillers latest adventure. Sadie plans to spend time relaxing with her two grown children, Breanna and Shawn, and her boyfriend, Pete, while enjoying the luxury and cuisine of an elegant cruise ship and helping to plan her daughters upcoming wedding. But even as the crew prepares to leave port, Sadie has suspicions about the voyage ahead and the relationship between her normally easygoing son and a mysterious female passenger he obviously knows but refuses to discuss. When the woman is discovered unconscious during the second night at sea, Sadies apprehension escalates. Over the last few years, Sadie has developed an extreme dislike for secrets and it would seem her son is keeping one from her. *Includes eight new mouthwatering recipes, tested and approved by the official bakers of Sadies Virtual Test Kitchen.

Praise for Baked Alaska
Josi Kilpack has done it again. You would think that all these events that occur in Sadie’s life wouldn’t be natural, but Josi Kilpack has a way of making you believe that it just “happens” and it is normal. I have grown to love Sadie’s character, even if she is a busybody, you can’t help but cheer for her as she attempts to solve a mystery or crime. One of my favorite series. :)
~Goodreads Reviewer Lacey McNeill

Author Josi S. Kilpack

Josi S. Kilpack grew up hating to read until she was thirteen and her mother handed her a copy of The Witch of Blackbird Pond. From that day forward, she read everything she could get her hands on and credits her writing “education” to the many novels she has “studied” since then. She began her first novel in 1998 and hasn’t stopped since. Her seventh novel, Sheep’s Clothing, won the 2007 Whitney Award for Mystery/Suspense, and Lemon Tart, her ninth novel, was a 2009 Whitney Award Finalist. Josi was the Best in State winner in literature for 2012 and currently has two books (Banana Split and Tres Leches Cupcakes) as finalists in the 2012 Whitney awards.

Josi currently lives in Willard, Utah, with her family.



Sadie Hoffmiller latest adventure takes
place on an Alaskan Cruise. Sadie decides to take a relaxing trip and
enjoy the luxury of the ship with her two grown children Shawn and
Breanna as well as her boyfriend Pete. Before the ship even manages
to leave the Port, it seems that her own son Shawn is carrying
secrets when she spots him and another passenger woman in an awkward
conversation and questions their tense relationship. So while Sadie
snoops around to discover the identity of the woman and what she has
to do with her son, the woman’s body is found on deck with a bottle
of possibly poisoned liquor.

This was a very interesting and
different cozy mystery for me. I did in fact enjoy it. It had the
comfort of a luxury cruise ship, lots of animated and interesting
characters and although I have not read the other books, this can be
read as a standalone no problem. It follows the main story line of
Sadie as she tries to discover who was behind poisoning the
mysterious woman her son’s involved with. She also battles the fact
that her son was keeping secrets from her, when Sadie herself is not
a fan off. Aside from the main story line there is a bunch of little
other stories of the ships characters that branch off in it’s own way
that make this as interesting as it is confusing. I have to admit, I
had to back track a little to remember what went with what, but it
was easy to keep track after a while.
Sadie was a bit nosy at times, but I
have to hand it to her, she is one determined and gutsy character who
really just wants to know what’s going on with her son and how she
could help him. Baked Alaska is also filled with yummy looking
recipes that I am looking forward to trying. Interesting story line,
a bit of an adventure, and of course a great mystery!

Blog Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 3/20/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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