Review: Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown

Series
Lies Beneath
(Book 1)

Genre
YA Fantasy Romance

Publication Date
June 12th, 2012

Publisher
Random House Children's Books
~Delacorte BFYR~

Available At
Amazon
Barnes & Nobles

Formats
Hardcover
Ebook

Calder White lives in the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior, the only brother in a family of murderous mermaids. To survive, Calder and his sisters prey on humans, killing them to absorb their energy. But this summer the underwater clan targets Jason Hancock out of pure revenge. They blame Hancock for their mother's death and have been waiting a long time for him to return to his family's homestead on the lake. Hancock has a fear of water, so to lure him in, Calder sets out to seduce Hancock's daughter, Lily. Easy enough—especially as Calder has lots of practice using his irresistible good looks and charm on unsuspecting girls. Only this time Calder screws everything up: he falls for Lily—just as Lily starts to suspect that there's more to the monsters-in-the-lake legends than she ever imagined. And just as his sisters are losing patience with him.


Review
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars!


There are so many great things that Anne Greenwood Brown did with Lies Beneath that kept it refreshing and original. I was instantly blown away and eager to read every word as the story unfolded. 


First, male point-of-view, do I need to say anything more? Probably not, but I will. I am so damn, unbelievably happy that male pov's are on the up rise. Oh, but that's not all. Usually we get saddled with the humans side of the story while the 'paranormal' person is cast in a dark, mysterious light (not a bad thing, I might add). Well, meet Calder. He's dark and a little mysterious and most importantly, he's a merman. And the story is told through his voice, which was absolute perfection. Also, this is the non-romanticized version of merpeople and I absolutely loved it. Brown casts them in a completely different light that portrays them in a much different way. It was fascinatingly eerie. 


I loved the fact that Calder questions the nature vs. nurture thing. Am I a product of nature or nurture? It's such a profound question for him and it simply added to his depth, forming more of a connection. Lily was fabulous. Slow to trust, fights her attraction towards Calder and is just plain human(in a good way, fleshed out). I felt like I knew her. 


I don't often need pretty words to transport me into a story, but Brown has a natural knack for writing that the prose was beautiful in itself. Descriptive. Vivid. Brilliantly flowing from sentence to sentence. I was mesmerized.


I'm recommending Lies Beneath to everyone. It was such an adventure that I was reluctant to say good-bye, but at least I (or we) can be mollified that there will be more to come.

Review: Uncertainty (Gravity #2) by Abigail Boyd

I was very luck to win a copy from LibraryThing

Genre

YA Paranormal/Fantasy

Publication Date

March 22nd, 2012

Publisher

Self-Published

Available At

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

Format

Ebook

Last year, Ariel's life was ripped apart. She's finally started to put the pieces together again, and is looking forward to summer break. That's when a dream brings her back to the mysterious Dexter Orphanage. 


With the return of an unlikely person in her life, Ariel begins to find out answers to the secrets that plagued her -- what was wrong with her grandmother? Why did Henry suddenly start dating the popular snobby girl whom he seemed to previously hate? And what really happened to Jenna?


As the threads are unraveled, Ariel realizes that she's peering into a world that no one else can see. 




Review
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars 


There's no way to go, but up. And that is what Abigail Boyd has done. There were still some issues, such as grammatical errors and also some things that were mentioned twice, one example, someone jumped off a stage and a few sentences later jumped off the stage again. These are errors that are hard to ignore and something that isn't expected from a published work. There is no doubt that Abigail Boyd has a talent in weaving tales, but the story still came off as slightly unfinished.

One thing that stands out without any blatant flaws is the characters, they are all well-developed with Ariel pulling forward as a strong female protagonist. Abigail Boyd is definitely strong when it comes to characterizations, there is never a moment where the characters or dialogue seem forced or unnatural. 

The plot still feels a little drawn out, there are things that are obvious, but the characters are oblivious to. Maybe that is the authors intentions, it's hard to tell. I can say that even though I know where the series is going, I have no idea how I will be taken there, and that's somewhat of a good thing. It lengthens the mystery yet at the same time frustrates me because it's a constant one step forward, two steps back plot. I want more information then what I'm fed, but I can admit that I'm fully reeled in.

My emotions were tugged at more than Gravity, most likely due to the fact that there were less errors,  allowing me to concentrate on the story rather the wording. Also, there was more descriptive prose rather than bare sentences, which was a HUGE plus. I'm looking forward to the next installment, and if this is any indication, the writing will only keep getting better.

Review: Gravity (Gravity #1) by Abigail Boyd

Genre
YA Paranormal/Fantasy


Publication Date

May 13th, 2011

Publisher

Self-Published

Available At

Amazon

Format

Ebook

One summer night in the town of Hell, Ariel Donovan's best friend goes missing. Everyone else believes Jenna ran away, but Ariel thinks something more sinister may have happened. She dreams of Jenna running to the abandoned orphanage in town, and then the building catching on fire. What does the orphanage have to do with Jenna's disappearance?

To complicate matters, a handsome new boy named Henry Rhodes has arrived in town, plaguing her with unwarranted attention. Even though she tries to stay away, she's drawn to him despite her best efforts, and can't help giving in to her attraction to him. Though he doesn't believe in the supernatural events that Ariel begins to witness, she enlists his help to figure out what is going on.
But when she discovers the truth, it's much worse than she ever feared.


Review
Rating: 3 stars out of 5


I was really intrigued not only by the cover(both of them), but by the blurb. I mean, a town called Hell? Yes, please! Possible ghosts? Pretty please!


I do like both covers, but I think I prefer the first one. I'm curious to know why the author changed it. 


In a book where I should have been scared of the shadows the night casts, I wasn't. I was left feeling like an editor or beta reader. I liked the characters, I liked the direction the story takes you, but it just was not polished enough for me.


So here goes a nit picky review. . .


There were grammatical errors left and right. Simple things that happen to everyone as they type, but they should have been found and fixed. For example: she instead of the; ot instead of to; the instead of they or them; things like that. Things that usually don't bother me, bothered me. And I think it's because the sentences seemed to leave me wanting. They didn't have any emotion behind them, they weren't choppy, but close to it. They were bare. And, there was an actual sentence in the book that was an outline/placeholder, "She dreams she's in a white hallway with doors lining either side". How do I know it was an outline sentence/placeholder? Because it came after the paragraph explaining the doors and it's in third-person when Gravity is written in the first-person.


Like I said above, I did like the characters and the plot, for the most part. I kind of felt that the book was at a stand still, not really moving forward, just adding to the infuriating mystery of this town called Hell. I say infuriating because by the end of the book, I wasn't left with any spectacular, all-revealing information or the reasoning behind what was happening to Ariel. One thing did catch me by surprise, but that was eclipsed by ever present mystery that was never adequately solved. 


Potential. That's the key word for Gravity. There is so much potential! The author, Abigail Boyd, successfully reeled me in, I just wish that the editing errors weren't present and there was more of an adventure to unravel the mystery. I was originally going to give Gravity two stars, but the author does have a creative mind that introduces a unique world and like I said, I was reeled in despite my aggravation of the many errors.


And, just so you know, I will be reading the next book, Uncertainty, because I simply need to know what the hell is going on in Hell. And because I do like the characters. Ariel has an endearing mix of toughness and shyness. 

Review: Kiss The Crystal Sun (Spellbound #2) by Penelope King

I was extremely lucky to receive this book in exchange for an honest review

Publication Date

March 15th, 2012

Publisher

Ascension Press

(Self-Published)

Available At

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

You can see my review of Witchy, Witchy. . . here,

With Nicholas gone and Justin fighting for his soul, Calista attempts to get back to a normal life. But when Ana reveals a shocking secret about the family's past, and Callie discovers the most important truths in her life are lies, she is faced with a devastating choice. . . One that will change everything.

Review

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance/Fantasy Romance

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

If you read my review of Witchy, Witchy (book 1 of the Spellbound trilogy), then you know that I liked it, but was not swept away. Well, that was not the case for Kiss The Crystal Sun!

Calista has grown from a character that was somewhat likable to completely lovable, she alone grabbed my attention as she proceeded to grow into a commendable young woman. I desperartely wanted to love Witchy, Witchy and Calista, but now I know why I couldn't. It was all a process, something that had to be laid out in such a way for Kiss The Crystal Sun to knock me off my feet. At least, that's how I see it. She still doubts herself, but she carries herself with more confidence. She starts asking questions and demanding answers, something that she didn't do in Witchy, Witchy. She relies more on her instincts, she has more suspicions. Calista has become a fierce character that fully swept me off my feet, with changes that flow seamlessly with the story, never unhinging it. 

Penelope King captures the essence of each individual character so that the reader feels connected to them. She breathes life into them so that they become vivid in your mind, staying with you well past the last pages. These aren't two-dimensional characters. Their expressions, their mannerisms, nervous ticks, the way they hold themselves; all the trivial little details jump out at you because you know them. Again, at least that's how it was for me. I wouldn't know these characters so well if it wasn't for Witchy, Witchy, the book that gave me all the information I needed before things started getting a little crazy. Crazy good.

The plot line, I feel like I shouldn't even get into it. It's something that you will have to read to experience for yourself. Just know that my heart was pumping, the blood was rushing to the surface of my skin and at one point, I thought I was having a heart attack. Penelope King definitely knows how to write a story that can reel in her readers and have them (literally) on the edge of their seats. My mind was in a constant whorl. Ah, and the romance. . . it's there. 

If you are looking for a fun, thrilling new trilogy to start, then look no further. The Spellbound trilogy is bound to take you on a magical adventure with great characters and heart-stopping romance. Suitable for most YA readers.

Review: Mundahlia by RJ Gonzales

         Publication Date

July 26th, 2011

Publisher

Self-Published

Available At

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

When our era ends, theirs begins.

Rini thought going to live with her cousins in the city of Austin, Texas while her parents rekindled their marriage on a four month long cruise, was a step in the right direction. When she makes a new quirky friend, and stumbles upon a handsome young man named Jett in the enveloping forest surrounding her cabin, she thought she was only moving forward. Well, she was wrong.

Jett and his clan appear human, just like anyone else. But take a closer look, and you will see that indeed they are Mundahlians. Legendary hybrid beings with both human and animal qualities that have been kept a heavily guarded secret throughout time - until now. They are taking refuge in our world, fleeing from their hidden homeland of Mundahlia and it's aging power-hungry King, who has set up a game between his many children. Whoever can bring them back to their world so they can be tried and executed shall receive the crown once he passes.

Upon finding their hideout, Bane, one of the King's sons, and on the hunt to win the crown, sees an opportunity to shatter the blossoming relationship, lure the family back to Mundahlia, and frame Rini for the murder of a Mundahlian - thus, breaking the pact signed long ago with the humans, and reigniting an ancient war for the majority of land and control. A triple deed that will surely earn him the power he craves.

Review

Genre: New Adult/Mature YA Paranormal Romance

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars!

Isn't that cover awesome?! I actually read this book back in December 2011 before I had a book blog, but because the author (RJ Gonzales from RJ Does Books) is so amazingly awesome, as is his writing, I had to do a re-read so I could post a proper review and also do an author interview(so stay tuned for that)! Plus, it's one of my favorite books so re-reading Mundahlia was already on my to-do list!

"Great. My life has suddenly become a young-adult novel."

The characters, oh where to start with the characters! I have to say that each character was unique with their own personalities, they were all likable (yes, even Ray) some more then others (um. . .Veee-ra, not Veh-ra), but they all added to the overall feel of the story. They each had a part to play and never once got lost in the background or plot line. Now, on to Rini and Jett. I said this in my tiny review in December, but Rini is my favorite type of female protagonist. She's a strong female that is sweet, but still doesn't let anyone push her around. She's smart and gorgeous, she's sassy and sarcastic, but also knows how to be serious. She's just plain kick-ass! Jett is everything a girl (or guy) could want. Sweet, tough, caring, passionate. You name it and it most likely is applicable to Jett. Mundahlia is mostly told from Rini's perspective, but we are lucky enough to have a few of Jett's perspectives slipped in there as well. 

Jett: "Are you saying you want to become a Mundahlian slayer?" he laughed

Rini: "Just for the bad guys. Besides, Buffy has the vampires pretty much covered."

The plot line is smooth sailing at first, sweeping you away into a romantic, budding relationship and then. . . you are literally slammed with the twists as they start piling up, taking you in directions that you never saw coming. RJ Gonzales even said this himself, that you get a fun, light-hearted book that turns into a darker, grittier book as the story picks up. The flow between the two tones is effortless, never seeming forced or too much. It flows with a natural ease because this IS the story. It wouldn't have been as great if it wasn't taken to that darker place. A warning: it does contain gore and extremely emotional scenes, be prepared to read through your fingers (or like me, plug your ears -> Am I the only one that plugs my ears during scary movies?) and have your tissues handy. Mundahlia has such a rich, extensive background that will instantly draw you in. Really, the history behind the land of Mundahlia is incredible and unlike any other story I have ever read. Positively original!

"Right now, I'd believe that a unicorn smells apples and pixies barfed glitter."

If you are a fan of werewolves, paranormal and romance then please! Don't miss out on Mundahlia! You will not be disappointed. Another warning: there are some sensitive scenes in Mundahlia that some readers might not find very pleasant. Read with discretion, but read it nonetheless. Age recommendation, I'd have to say 16 or 17+

This is the Mundahlian era!

Stay tuned for the author interview with RJ Gonzales on either Tuesday or Wednesday!

Review: Witchy, Witchy(Spellbound #1) by Penelope King

I was fortunate to receive a copy of this book from the author through the group Making Connections on Goodreads

Publication Date

September 2011

Publisher

Self-Published

Available At

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

When Calista McCoy moves from the slums of the Louisiana Bayou to an illustrious beach community in California, she knows her life is going to take a drastic turn. But once she arrives at the beautiful mansion by the sea, dark secrets are revealed. . . secrets that become even more complicated when she meets the gorgeous neighbor boy, Nicholas, and she feels an unexplainable--and undeniable--attraction. He's everything she's ever dreamed of. Literally.


Her new life seems almost too good to be true. But as everyone knows, when somethings seems too good to be true, it usually is.

. . . And in Calista's case, is could be deadly.


Review
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance/Fantasy Romance
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

I first learned of Penelope King when I stumbled across A Demon Made Me Do It, a dark YA paranormal tale that quickly captivated me. I think I can safely say that I was expecting something darker, but what Witchy, Witchy lacks in darkness is quickly made up by the magical journey that will just as easily entice readers.

The first three quarters of Witchy, Witchy are dedicated to character development, in my opinion. There is some slight mystery as the reader tries to figure out the placement of Nicholas and Justin, but within that first three quarters I felt that I successfully became intuned to the characters, able to know how each of the girls(Callista, Sophie and Lily) would react to any given situation. That, I felt, was a success on Penelope King's part. I often become invested in characters, but to add knowing to investment was a simple way to capture my attention throughout the story.

I have to say that I wasn't in love with Callista. She was a strong character, don't get me wrong, but she wasn't able to sweep me off my feet. She did have a realness to her though, for a sixteen year old. She was really naive at times, but would have moments of supreme clarity that added to her character. I did enjoy watching the growth she achieved, she started to become a stronger female protagonist at the end of Witchy, Witchy so I have high hopes that she will continue the growth into a character that WILL sweep me off my feet.

As the plot goes, there wasn't much mystery to get twisted in. The only question that kept reoccurring in my head was: someone has to be a Hunter, someone has to be bad. . . so who is it? I have to admit that for someone who likes to be tangled in mystery, I was content with how Witchy, Witchy progressed. Like I said earlier, I really appreciated the fact that I KNEW the characters. As you can guess, I will be reading the next book in the series, Kiss The Crystal Sun.

I recommend Witchy, Witchy to all lovers of romantic, whimsical fantasy. I think Witchy, Witchy will vastly captivate female readers of any age.

Review: Defiance(Significance #3) by Shelly Crane

Publication Date

March 8th

Publisher

Self-Published

Available At

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

In the third installment of the Significance series, we begin with Maggie and Caleb in the clutches of a new enemy; the Virtuoso council. Not only do they have to deal with consequences of taking the lives of the Watsons and the council attempting to take Maggie away to keep their precious Visionary safe, but they must deal Marla as well. All are determined to undermine, control and use Caleb and Maggie's rare gifts for their own uses, some wish to destroy them entirely. Then Maggie's father and Bish are threatened but the council forbids the presence of humans. Peter and the family fight and stand beside them every step of the way to save Maggie's father, to keep Caleb and Maggie together when the corrupted council is so set on keeping them apart and to stop Marla and whatever she has up her sleeve. Then Maggie has the shock of her life when she discovers something about her real father. It may change everything for everyone. Stay tunes as the story continues.

Review
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance/Fantasy Romance
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars!

I have loved the Significance series from the get-go, easily devouring each book as it has been released. Defiance was not an exception, and in my opinion, it was the best one!

The evolution of each character as an individual and as a whole(meaning the family) sets Defiance above the others in this series. We get to see them act as a unit, being loyal and fighting for what they know is right. They have their faults, but they are within the realm of being the perfect family. Something, I think, that every family strives towards. As readers, we often read about relationships that are hot and cold, the two characters pulling and pushing. I love the fact that Maggie and Caleb have been such a strong couple since the very beginning. In Defiance, their relationship is the rock that grounds their family and many of the other Aces present at the meeting. They trust in each other, they are truthful to one another and their love shines through every action that they take. Theirs is a relationship that puts a smile on your face, warms your belly and flutters your heart.

In Defiance, things happen that I have been expecting from the very beginning and then there were things that completely shocked me. This is by far the most emotional installment of the Significance series, so have your tissues ready. Defiance is fast-paced, never a dull moment as things are revealed. I was never left with the feeling of lacking. The Visionary aspect of the story gets some more light and I found it completely entrancing.

This is a series that shouldn't be overlooked. Shelly Crane has the ability to draw in her readers as she takes them on an incredible, captivating journey. Recommended to readers that love a sweet, titillating romance that will sweep you away, keep you entertained and provide new, refreshing paranormal aspects. Defiance, along with the first two books, are appropriate for younger readers, but also something that readers of any age will enjoy.

Review: Destiny's Wrath(Destiny #3) by Nancy Straight

Warning: I do not recommend reading this review if you haven't read the first two books, Meeting Destiny and Destiny's Revenge. However, you shouldn't miss out on the epic paranormal adventure!

In the final installment in the Destiny series, Lauren and Max still yearn for their normal life together. Although finally united, they're unable to enjoy their bliss when they learn nine people have been viciously murdered. The murderer is a young man who saved Max's life months earlier. Lauren and Max must decide how to help the young man and destroy the evil that resides within him. The only thing the Council and the Cabinet can agree on is: Lauren and Max need to stay away. Lauren and Max worry that this time the evil may consume them both. Nobody involved saw the power of Destiny's Wrath until it was upon them.

Review

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars!

Destiny's Wrath is the 'ahhh' of a quenched thirst, the icing on the cake, the cherry on top. . . the perfect ending! I instantly started reading the third and final installment in the Destiny trilogy as soon as I finished Destiny's Revenge. I was in dire need to know what would become of Max and Lauren.

There is no doubt that Nancy Straight has the ability to draw in her readers, she had us all hooked from the very start of the first book, Meeting Destiny. And rightly so. Her characters are deep, the plot well-thought out and captivating, all throughout the entire adventure.

Books are usually plagued with the push and pull of the two main characters, you know, the getting together, pushing each other away and such forth. And while they are still interesting, they are becoming a bit predictable. Destiny's Wrath is unique in that sense, never becoming predictable. Max and Lauren did a lot of learning in Destiny's Revenge, I was extremely happy to see their relationship progress in the way that it did. Lauren's commend ability and resolute attitude never wavered, we didn't have to witness any back-tracking as she moved forward in her life. She stayed strong and true to the character that she evolved into in Destiny's Revenge. Max was much the same, as he too stayed true to the character that he evolved into.

In Meeting Destiny we were introduced to the sweetest, make-your-heart-flutter relationship of Lauren and Max. In Destiny's Revenge their jaunt to happiness was put to massive tests as they individually, and as a couple, battled their inner turmoils as well as other aspects. Finally, in Destiny's Wrath we get to see that sweet, make-you-jealous relationship again that makes your toes curl. Max and Lauren evolved into one, making wise decisions and sticking together no matter what. The evolution of their relationship throughout all three books was a complete pleasure to read about!

As Destiny's Revenge set a new tone, so did Destiny's Wrath. There was a darker tone that seeped through, partly because we were privy to Samual's inner workings, and they weren't pleasant. There is also the anticipations of the ending that brings out the darkness. Destiny's Wrath moves at a faster pace, adding a slight desperation to the eminent ending.

Recommended to all lovers of the Paranormal genre. You don't want to miss out on this delightful trilogy!

Destiny's Wrath is currently available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Review: Scorched Skies(Fire Spirits#2) by Samantha Young

FEAR THE HEAT. . . 

The White King has crossed the line, sounded the horn, sent out the wolves.

When blood is shed and life is lost the reality of Ari's position as both hunter and prey finally sets in. It seems her father will stop at nothing to force her will to his own and distracted by Charlie's latest mistake and her seemingly misguided attraction to Jai, Ari never thought to fear anyone else but the Jinn King.

Blindsided and attacked, Ari learns a new wolf has joined the hunt. A dark sorcerer believes he knows a way to bleed the power of the Seal and wield it as his own, and he is even less patient than the White King.

The war for the Seal has only just begun. . . and it's time for Ari to turn it on its head.

It's time for Ari to stop acting like the hunted.

It's time for Ari to become the hunter.

Review
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars!

Well, let me just start by saying: Samantha Young, will forever be one of my favorite authors! She has amazing talent that seeps from the pages of her stories, drawing the reader into worlds that are fascinating and unique.

As Scorched Skies unfolds we get little glimpses of all the characters involved, we get to see how they think, which lends a helping hand in immersing the reader into the story. The mystery and intrigue continues from the first book, unraveling some old aspects and starting some new ones. There is never a dull moment. I was constantly in sweet, torturing agony as the romance picks up. I knew who I was voting for the whole time, but the question is: who were you voting for? Charlie or Jai?

We get further introduced to Trey, Jai's best friend, and I must say, he is quickly becoming one of my favorite characters in the story. We also get introduced to new characters, a better look at the 'political' side of the Jinn, have some suspicions rooted more deeply and get a slightly deeper look into Jai's childhood. The emotions are raw as we continue our adventure with Ari as she grows and accepts the responsibility that was thrust onto her. Scorched Skies will have you jumping out of your skin for Borrowed Embers!

There is quite literally no need for a longer or more in-depth review. Fans of Samantha Young will already be snatching up Scorched Skies and if you aren't already a fan, then what are you waiting for? Go buy Smokeless Fire and get started on this amazing adventure that you shouldn't miss out on!

P.S. Go vote for Borrowed Embers to be the next released book from Samantha Young at her website here!

Scorched Skies is currently available at Amazon

Review: Destiny's Revenge(Destiny #2) by Nancy Straight

Warning: If you haven't read the first book, Meeting Destiny, I would not recommend reading this review of the second book. I do, however, recommend you read Meeting Destiny!

There was no reason for Lauren to be in a coma. Her physical injuries had healed, but she had been non-responsive for so long that her doctor's told her family and Max to move on. She awoke to find her life in a shambles; the man she loved was gone, her friends had moved on with their lives, and her family was ripped apart by her accident. No one knew of the evil forces watching, waiting for her in the shadows, in the lonely corners, even in the eyes of those she loved. Lauren needed to reclaim her destiny, to get her life back; the last thing she ever suspected was Destiny's Revenge.





Review
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars


A new tone is set in Destiny's Revenge, the second book of the Destiny trilogy. There is an underlying feel of foreboding that radiates from the pages as the story progresses. I did not anticipate the turn that Destiny's Revenge took, I was completely blown away!

Now the hard part is going to be highlighting the story in a way that gives nothing away. Here it goes! Differences, Lauren and Max have both changed, they have both matured, but that is not the only difference. Their destiny was altered, consequently altering them as individuals. They each have a strenuous journey of re-discovery as they each battle their inner turmoils. Max is more hardened, which is to be expected, but he still very much has the ability to make the female readers' feel fluttery butterflies. In my eyes, Max is more desirable in Destiny's Revenge. Lauren has amped up her likableness by multitudes. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely loved her in Meeting Destiny, but she has grown into a more commendable, resolute young woman. She relies more on herself, only asking for help when she truly needs it. There is sparse interaction with secondary characters, but the reader won't be lacking as their attention is captured and held by Lauren. There are a few new characters that are introduced, some more amiable than others. There are two additions that I truly loved and was shocked and happy Nancy Straight chose to introduce them. They added to the story, complementing Lauren and Max's characters. Nancy Straight also slips in a treat for her fans in the form of Max's perspective. That's right, we get to delve into his psyche! I can only hope that we will get continued glimpses in the third and final installment, Destiny's Wrath!

All I can say, you better be prepared to pick your jaw up off the ground! I was capsized by a rogue wave, and that is how I will equate it: to being hit by a huge wave, sucked under, tossed around until you can't decipher which way is up or down. Then once you finally surface, you are left gasping for air trying to find your equilibrium. In one word: intense! The wheels in your head will be constantly spinning as new aspects are laid out in front of you. You lean to one side, then maybe start to lean to the other. You will have no idea who to believe or how it will end! The emotions are also more raw, almost gritty. And that is all I will say about the plot!

Nancy Straight is an exceptional author that goes above and beyond any expectations. She successfully ensnares the readers attention, never relinquishing the hold until you have the the last book in your hands, ready to shun the world and continue the adventure of Lauren and Max.

Destiny's Revenge is currently available at Barnes & Noble and Amazon

Review: Amber Eyes(Entwined Souls #1) by Jolyn Palliata

~ Eyes are the window to the soul, in a time when souls are ancient. ~

After an accident, one she shouldn't have walked away from, Lexi's life finally begins. She meets Dez, a new student with the most beautiful eyes she's ever seen. And since gazing into them, Lexi has had vivid waking dreams that pull her back through time, and into the warm embrace of a mysterious stranger - a stranger who becomes all too familiar. When offering an explanation for her detailed visions, Dez changes her world forever with two simple words: Soul mates.

For the first time in her life, Lexi feels safe and complete. But lingering in the shadows is the embodiment of evil, coveting the light within her. He's a threat to Lexi's very existence, and to a love that has transcended time.

Review

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance/Fantasy

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

A captivating tale abut soul mates and true love with a plush background of history. As Lexi discovers a new(or maybe in this case, old) life that she has lived, the reader is transported to that time right along with her. The imagery was vividly bright, making it extremely easy to become part of the story. The mystery is kept throughout as we slowly reveal new angles, each taking  the reader in a different direction. I did, however, start to lose focus when the time would skip forward in varying amounts(two weeks, a month, a few months) with only a snippet of info to convey Lexi's thoughts and feelings. After that, though, the story flows more smoothly as we move forward in a more consistent pace.

I personally loved all of the characters involved in Amber Eyes. The story revolves around Lexi, but she is surrounded by outstanding characters that add more personality to the story. You get the sense of strong friendships that withstand the trials of time and other hardships, becoming a family rather that just simple friends. Lexi is a dazzling female protagonist, she helps hook the readers attention with her sarcasm, wittiness, and fierce loyalty. Regarding soul mates, Dez is the perfect match for Lexi. They compliment each other with their similarities and differences, adding a balance to their characters. Jolyn Palliata does an excellent job of keeping Dez shrouded in a thin veil of mystery. Word of advice, don't get settled in for the apparent neat little satisfying bow because the reader will get thrown in a completely different direction that will have you gasping in anxiety for the next in the trilogy.

"Careful. Your horns are knocking your halo off balance."

Amber Eyes is currently available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Review: Ink by Holly Hood

I was lucky enough to receive a copy of Ink from the author through the group, Making Connections on Goodreads.


Hope didn't ask for so much change in her life. She was happy living in Georgia for the rest of her life. Focusing on the things she loved the most: singing, dancing and her best friend Karsen. This was effortless, she had no worries.

But all that changed when her mother decided to leave dad for Pete, the Tae Kwon do instructor. And now Hope has to choose between staying where she belonged or moving far away to Cherry, California with her dad.

After making the choice to move far away, to protect her father, Hope realizes Cherry is nothing like the hometown she's used to. Everyone is rude, high class and she doesn't fit in. Not until Slade comes along. He has never fit in and he is okay with that. And Hope is fascinated by everything that Slade is. All the way down to his tattoos and bat wielding rescue the first time they meet.

She knows she should stay far away from him, but it proves tricky as she discovers dark secrets about the town and people in Cherry, California. Hope doesn't know who to trust as her life takes a turn from ordinary and depressing to dangerous and wild.

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Holly Hood has an aptitude in creating original, thrilling worlds with well-developed, unique characters. She puts real life situations into her stories that make them, well, real! Ink is intense, emotional and raw(like many of Hood's books).

Ink is a parable about never judging a person by their appearance. Hope meets Slade who is covered in tattoos, has a lip piercing, constantly wears black and lives in a tour bus. Then she meets Tucker who is undeniably gorgeous, confident, a well-standing student and the Mayor's son. They are polar opposites and both take an interest in Hope as she slowly gets acclimated to her new surroundings, but who can she trust? Hope is a strong female protagonist. She's seventeen years old, but she's independent and smart(most of the time). As the story unfolds we are constantly shrouded in mystery regarding the characters, Henry Park(where Slade lives), and the town Cherry. Every character(small and big) have defining personalities that make them their own character instead of just there to fill in space, they add to the story in many different ways.

Ink is a long story, but in my opinion, it was the perfect length. It moves along at an even pace, never dragging with enough twists to keep readers interested. The paranormal aspect is unique and mystical, the reader will get an inkling of what that aspect is, but won't know for sure until we are told. The story will conjure up many emotions from heart-warming, gut-wrenching to sometimes even fear. There are sometimes even hilarious moments. The real life situations, sex, alcohol and some violence, make Ink raw, intense and meaty. Hope may only be seventeen, but all teenagers aren't virgin's and these situations arise all around us. Some readers(and reviewers) may try to uncategorize this as young-adult, but I think it can still qualify(obviously not for the younger YA readers), but for the slightly more mature(16 or 17+). Unfortunately, the ending was not good enough for me. I still had a few questions that I wanted answered and things were tied up a little too nicely for such an intense read. But, all in all, this was a fantastic, gripping read that many readers will enjoy! 

Ink is available at Amazon.

Review: Resurrection(Guardians of Vesturon #2) by A.M. Hargrove

I was fortuitous enough to receive a free copy of Resurrection from the author, A.M. Hargrove.

Warning : If you haven't read Survival(which is book #1), then I highly recommend you to not go any further. You wouldn't want to spoil the fun for yourself!


Rayn Yarrister, first-born son and Leader of The Guardians, has been imprisoned on Vesturon for breaking their most sacred of covenants. He is suddenly jolted by Maddie's telepathic pleas for help, as her life hangs in the balance. Can he alert The Guardians in time to save his soulmate? Or will he face his trial alone and broken without his one true love? In Resurrection(Book 2), The Guardians of Vesturon are facing their biggest challenges as Earth is threatened by an invading species from a distant planet intent on destroying it for its resources. The Guardians, as protectors of the universe, have been assembled to defend not only Earth, but other vulnerable worlds as well. The Yarrister family is threatened by an unknown entity intent on discrediting them. Will they uncover this plot in time to save themselves from ruin? Will The Guardians succeed in stopping the Xanthians, or will Earth be invaded and ravaged by this marauding species?


Review
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Resurrection picks up where Survival left off, with Maddie fighting for her life. Separated into different parts, we are given many perspective's(from Rayn, Maddie, the Yarrister's and even some new characters) that it helps the story become dimensional, rounding it out and ultimately letting the reader connect to each character. The questions that were left unanswered and the suspicions that everything wasn't quite as it appeared, get answered and brought out into the light as we learn new facts.

The characters are further developed as the perspectives interchange within the story. Rayn is the same protective, unconditionally loving man that readers first melted for. Maddie is the same accident prone, sometimes beyond innocent, indecisive girl, but she starts to transform as the story progresses. She makes the decision to change, ultimately finding herself and becoming a confident, independent woman. She undergoes many hardships, but Maddie's new way may be more agreeable to some readers. The change in Maddie is welcomed, turning the story from slightly great to fabulous, but unfortunately Rayn and Maddie's relationship hits some turbulence, leaving the reader in a gut-wrenched state.

The plot line has many twists, leaving the reader to grip the pages as they are left with events that are extremely unexpected. There is never a dull moment as we learn new qualities about all of the characters and watch the story unfold from our viewpoint. The time line of the story allows for everything to flow naturally, not rushed or forced. It adds major points to the overall feel of the book. The sub-plots merge nicely with the entire story, giving it meat. Resurrection is packing way more emotion than Survival, making the feelings it provokes palpable. The reader will be drawn even more into the story, not wanting to let go until the end, maybe even beyond that. A.M. Hargrove knows how to successfully draw in her readers and leave them satisfied, once again!  


Resurrection is available from Smashwords, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Thrift-Store Thursday!

I thought it would be fun to go scrounging around the local thrift shop for books, see if I could find any good ones. Usually, you can find droves of historical fiction, but I was determined to find something, anything YA. And I was in high luck! Someone must have cleaned out their YA library because I found twelve books total, for a little over eight dollars! Is that a steal or what?!

These are three of the ones that I'm super excited about! Aces Up by Lauren Barnholdt, Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen and The Year I Turned Sixteen(4 books in 1) by Diane Scwemm

Here are three more that I'm excited about and they just happen to be the firsts in their series'! Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater, Marked by P.C. Cast & Kristen Cast and Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

It might be a crime that I haven't read any of the Vampire Academy books by Richelle Mead, but at least now I have the second one to help get me motivated. 

Here's another one that looked interesting, Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey

The other books that I bought are The Crocodile Bird by Ruth Rendell, Barbarian and Escape(Sons of Dark 1&2) by Lynne Ewing and Mina by Marie Kiraly. So, twelve books in total, all sound interesting! All I have to do now is find the time to read them all! I'm sure I can squeeze them in, so keep a look out for their reviews! Have you found any good books? I would love to know if anyone else is thrifting it up ;)

Happy Reading!

Julie

Five by Christie Rich

Five(An Elemental Enmity novel) by Christie Rich
Rayla Tate was just a child when her mother disappeared from her life forever. Raised by her aunt Grace in a small town, she has lived a relatively uneventful but extremely sheltered life. She doesn't know it yet, but she
 is special. She has been hidden from the fae who have lived secretly among us since the beginning of time. Descended from an ancient blood-line of Elementals, only she has the power to crown the first fae high-king.

Sick of provincial living and dictates of her aunt, Rayla flees the safety of her home and runs away to collage with her best friend. However, excitement over her newfound freedom is short-lived when she finds herself being chased by a mysterious stranger on her way to school. She is drawn to him immediately but resist the compulsion she feels. He disappears into the night, but she is certain he is following her.

Rayla struggles to deal with the encounter as she adjusts to her environment. To make matters worse, aunt Grace reveals that Rayla will soon be hunted by a pack of fae lords, each hoping to claim her power for his own. She soon finds herself surrounded by stunning men. Are they fae, or is this just normal collage life? More importantly, who can she trust when she can't trust herself to be near them?


Review
5 Massive, Bright Stars!!

The moment I started reading Five, I knew I was in for a wild ride! I instantly became engulfed in this creative, incomparable world that author, Christie Rich, has created. And rightfully so! Christie has successfully laced together every single detail with authenticity and astounding ability to transform words into more than just mere words. The characters have real people characteristics(even the fae), making them well-rounded and able to stand on their own. Rayla has high morals, she is fierce, stubborn, smart and determined. She struggles just like we all do, she feels just like we all do. . . she is painted in such a vivid picture(as is the whole book, really) that readers will have no choice, but to root for her in her doozy of an adventure. The old friendships and new friendships are ever present as Rayla embarks on her collage occurrences. There is mystery lurking at every corner making the twists a pleasant and unforeseeable pleasure. I'm sorry this review isn't any longer, but if I say anymore, I will undoubtedly be giving too much away, I don't want to steal the pleasure of your discovery from you! Do yourself a HUGE favor by purchasing this book! I will be more than happy to read everything and anything that Christie Rich writes, she has a new fan with me! Luckily, Dark Matter(the next book) is already out!

Five is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords.

Review of Survival by A.M. Hargrove

                                                                                                                                                     Survival(Book 1 of The Guardians of Vesturon) by A.M. Hargrove

While on a backpacking trip in the Great Smokey Mountain National Park, nineteen-year-old Maddie Pearce finds that her world has been thrown into a vortex and is madly spinning towards the impossible. Abducted by a mad psychopath, Maddie narrowly escapes with her life. But that is only the beginning. Her mysterious rescuer introduces her to a world that Maddie has difficulty accepting as reality. Will this strikingly gorgeous stranger be the key to her future or will she return to her mundane world, scarred from her experience? Follow Maddie as she is forced to make difficult decisions that carry her to mysterious places.

Review
31/2 Stars!
Survival is adequately titled, for it is a story about a girl, Maddie, that has an almost uncanny strength(mentally and physically) to survive an onslaught of events. An intriguing and new view about beings from another world, the Guardians. It was refreshing, fun and even thrilling at times. Survival is written in four parts(or Books), the first is where we get introduced to Maddie Pearce as she begins a new adventure at collage. Maddie is honest, cunning, perceptively smart, fierce at times and very determined. Although she is written as a nineteen year old, she comes across younger and inexperienced in some aspects of life. Some readers may find this endearing where others might be slightly frustrated. We also get a look at the psychopath, Darryl, that forever alters Maddie's life. Where Maddie's part is full of emotion, Darryl's is lacking. Not only is it a character change, but the perspective changes from first-person to third-person allowing the reader to get a feel for this crazy, unstable person and what drives him. In Book 2, we get to delve into Rayn's psych, where we get some history about Vesturon and the Guardians. We also get to start with Rayn as he meets Maddie, a positive choice from the author, which gives us more insight into his character and his struggles than if his part started where Maddie's left off. Rayn is honorable, strong, extremely smart and such forth. He is one of the perfect 'heros' that us girls like to read about. Rayn's perspective gives Survival a well-rounded feel and I think the story would be lacking without his thoughts. Although, this is a romantic tale about survival(from many things), I think the readers will feel that this seemed to be more of a back story, setting up plot for the second installment, Resurrection. A good back story, but still a back story. There wasn't a solid sub-plot of evil to overcome until there was only a quarter of the book left. And there was no ending to that sub-plot because it was just beginning, to be continued in the next book. Some may argue that Darryl and his evil ways were a sub-plot, but he disappears until he is needed and ends up leaving the readers with a huge cliff-hanger. There were also things that were mentioned that were just that, mentioned. They were never looked into or explained or brought into the story, but they leave you asking questions like "is that an important detail to keep track of?". A.M. Hargrove does a successful job of drawing her readers in and keeping them interested. I'm almost positive my questions will be answered in the next book! I can only imagine the dilemmas that will be present in Resurrection. Lucky for us, Resurrection is currently out and available for us to snatch up!

Survival is available at Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes & Noble.


Happy Reading!
Julie