A Review for Feral Sins (The Phoenix Pack #1) by Suzanne Wright

Posted by Donna
Release Date: February 19th, 2013
Finished Date: July 23rd, 2013

Publishers: Montlake Romance
Source: Bought 

Format: Kindle 
Pages: 428

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

When female wolf shifter Taryn Warner first encounters Trey Coleman, an alpha male wolf shifter with a dangerous reputation, she’s determined to resist his charms. After all, Trey—who was only fourteen when he defeated his own father in a duel, winning the right to be alpha of his pack—can’t have anything to offer the talented healer besides trouble, or so she thinks.

Taryn finds herself drawn in by Trey’s forceful demeanor and arctic-blue eyes, and she eventually agrees to enter an uneasy alliance with him. If the two succeed in convincing their respective packs that they’ve chosen each other as mates, Trey will win valuable political allies, while Taryn will escape an odious arranged mating.

But there are a lot of potential pitfalls to this plan—including the very real possibility that the wolf shifters, overwhelmed by their growing attraction to each other, will be unable to maintain the clear heads needed to pull off the deception.

The Review: “You’re all there is for me, Taryn. I’m broken baby. You know that. Before you… it was like those bits of me were just scattered all over the place. I’ve never felt whole. Not until you. You hold those pieces together. It’s not an exaggeration when I say you hold my sanity in your hands. Without you, I’d fall apart.” - Trey

Every now and then I’ll come across a book that really blows me away and this was truly one of them books. 

British author Suzanne Wright writes a fantastic and seriously steamy read with Feral Sins. I think this is my first time reading an adult book based around Shifters. Usually it’s always vampires, so I loved every minute of being introduced to the Shifter world. The fact that Suzanne Wright is a UK author makes it all the more special to me, mainly because most of my favourite books are wrote by American authors and, being British myself, it makes me very pleased to have come across another phenomenal UK writer – there really aren’t that many that I’ve come across (so far).

Feral Sins was just A-MAZ-ING. I heard it was good but I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but I was completely blown away by everything. I loved it that much that I think I need to buy a paperback copy just to have it sitting on my shelf. The story itself oozes with sexual tension, hot and steamy scenes and Trey and the rest of the Phoenix Pack – wow, H.O.T.T hot! I couldn’t believe how easy it was to fall in love with every single (nice) pack member. The banter and humour that came from this book really had me laughing out loud. Taryn – who is a very feisty and dominate female had such a mouth on her. She never held back and really had some fantastic one liners like this; 

“Hey, I have a suggestion, why not put a condom over your head – if you’re going to act like a complete dick then it makes sense to dress like one.” – Taryn 

“If I want your opinion, I’ll kick it out of you, okay?” – Taryn 

And so did Dom;
“There’s no way a woman could possibly resist your charm”
Dominic smiled. “Or my dick. Don’t worry, I won’t get it out. I don’t want you all to get intimidated. and in the interest of health and safety, I think it’s better that he’s not unleashed.” - Dominic

But what really made this book shine was Trey and Taryn’s connection. Who would have thought that a deal between two people could turn out to be the best thing that’s ever happened to them? Well it was, and it was so touching to read about. Their story is also raw and very real – it’s painful and sometimes scary but, I love the possessiveness the shifters have over their mates. I know some people won’t agree with me on that but, to be truly loved and be forever with someone, it’s beautiful and, the sex between them is amazing, plain and simple! 

“You just don’t get it, do you? You have no idea how important you are to me. I need you to be okay, Taryn. I can’t be without you, you have to be here and okay or I would be able to fucking function.”

I’m excited to see what comes next in the series – I know it’s Dante and Jaime’s story and I can’t wait. I’m hoping Suzanne also plans to write books for my other favourite characters like Dom, Tao and Trick. 

In all, I loved Feral Sins and I’d highly recommend you read it, if you’re a fan of this genre. Suzanne Wright has created a gem of a book and I plan on reading more of her work! 

A Review for New Beginnings (Others of Edenton #0.5) by Brandy L. Rivers

Posted by Melanie 
Release Date: July 29th, 2013
Finished Date: July 15th, 2013

Publishers: Self - Published
Source: For Review

Format: Kindle 
Pages: 182

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US 

Jess knew her life would never move forward if she remained a part of Gregory’s pack. Some Alpha’s just don’t know how to take care of their wolves. She had managed Gregory’s bar for years but she knew he would never sell it to her. 

After one giant mistake, he went from bad to worse. As a psychic, she knew it was a downward spiral. 

Taking her future in her own hands, she contacts the Alpha in Edenton. He is happy to sell the empty bar no one has the time, nor desire to renovate, much less run. 

Their attraction is unexpected and the last thing either want, but they find the only thing they need in each other. 

There is just one problem. Slater’s second in command is plotting against him. Liam will use anything to take over as Alpha. 

Plenty of werewolves, an old vampire flame, plus a paranoid second, and don’t forget the psychic with a whole lot of attitude.

The Review: 4.5 Flowers!

New Beginnings is another excellent read in the ‘Others of Edenton’ series, this time it’s a prequel and we get to know some of the characters we were introduced to in ‘In too Deep’ a little bit better – namely our wolf pack Alpha Slater & Fallons BFF and psychic friend Jess. We already know from ‘In too Deep’ that Slater & Jess are mated & devoted to each other and this is their story….

Jess is a character more than capable of holding the lead reins and you can totally see how Fallon & her are friends because she’s fierce, she’s independent, she’s feisty, she’s not afraid to voice her opinion and doesn’t take any crap from anyone regardless of the outcome. I like this in a character and although she is similar in a few ways to Fallon, there is a marked difference too. Slater is HOT, I like my wolves dominant & sexy without the bossy and Slater fits the bill perfectly, even giving us a peek at his vulnerable side so, in fact he is ideal for Jess – if they could get past their issues. I loved their chemistry, I loved the little spats they had, I loved the sexy times, I loved it all, especially the fact that even though they ‘mated’, it wasn’t going to come easy to the pair of them and I have a feeling they will always clash…. But in a good way.

The storyline was great, from the way Jess left her old home right up until the ending – I was hooked and I really enjoyed the focus being on the wolf pack, giving us an insight into the inner workings & hierarchy. I though the danger/ threat of the book was well done & was really fitting with the overall feel of the book especially as it was coming from within and not an outside source which also gave it a creepier feel. I really liked Jess’s ability and how her visions played into the plot, but was left thinking that they could also be giving us insight to more books?? Let’s hope so because again, I am left wanting more. What I most liked though, was the relationship between Slater & Jess, it was bumpy, they were stubborn but again, they were HOT and I’m really liking the authors thinking when she created this world & its inhabitants, I wouldn’t mind moving to Edenton and snagging myself some hotness. 

Showcase Sunday (#39)

Showcase Sunday is a new weekly meme hosted by Vicky @ Books Biscuits and Tea. We will now be taking part in Showcase Sunday instead of In My Mailbox. If you'd like to join see HERE for more details.

Bought eBooks

   

The Warlord Wants Forever (Immortals After Dark #1) by Kresley Cole

Renegade (The Captive #2) by Erica Stevens

Hidden Wings (Hidden Wings #1) by Cameo Renae

Pleasure Unbound (Demonica #1) by Larissa Ione

Freebies

   

Ethan's Mate (The Vampire Coalition #1) by J.S. Scott

Eternal Vows (The Ruby Ring #1) by Chrissy Peebles

Bloodstorm (Heart of a Vampire #1) by Amber Kallyn

Addicted to Him by Lauren Dodd

eBooks for Review: 

  

Emerge (Evolve Series #1) by S.E. Hall 

The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle

Fighting Fate by Linda Kage

For Review: 

Never too Far by Abbi Glines

Forever too Far by Abbi Glines

Paradise by Simone Elkeles

White Little Lies by Katie Dale
Angel Fever by LA Weatherly

Thank you to Simon & Schuster, Usborne Publishing, Linda Kage, S.E Hall! 

Blog Tour for This Time Around by Ellie Grace; Review & INT Giveaway

Posted by Jess
Release Date: 15th July, 2013
Finished Date: 25th July 2013
Publishers: Ellie Grace
Source: For Review 
Format: e-book
Pages: Unknown
Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US

Nora Montgomery left home and heartbreak behind in South Carolina when she moved to New York City after her high school graduation. Now, four years later, she returns home and is forced to confront the past she left behind and the reckless boy who broke her heart. It’s not long before the pieces of her past begin to blur with the present and she realizes that the feelings she had for her first love never really went away. As old dreams resurface and new truths come to light, she begins to question the future she's always planned on.

Jake Harris has spent four years regretting the night he let her get away. When she finally reappears in his life, he is determined to win her back and prove how much he’s changed. She might never forgive him for that night, but if he tells her the truth about what really happened it will shatter the world she thought she knew. If he doesn't  he might not get a second chance. He’s already lost her once and he won’t lose her again.

They come from two different worlds that are threatening to tear them apart…can they make it this time around?

The Review: This Time Around was a great little read. Like most NA books there's a lot of the similar characteristics you get in other books. But this one was a specially good one. 

I was pretty gripped from the start, and I really enjoyed all the characters that we were introduced to. Nora goes back to her small town for the summer, where she hooks back up with her high school sweetheart Jake. After 4 years of not knowing how each other were doing, Nora and Jake slowly get back into their rhythm and make up for lost time. It starts off as 'just friends' but when can soul mates really be 'just friends'? they can't, so this in turn creates for the future events that come to pass in the book. 

Ellie Grace is a wonderful writer, with clear descriptions, a developed plot and developed characters. The story-although short-was all there and it was a story that needed to be told from day one. As a debut novel by Ellie Grace, she has done extremely well and I was very impressed. I looked over a few of the spelling mistakes or missing words, but I put that down to not having an editor just yet. Aside from that, Ellie wrote a wonderful story.

This Time Around is about second chances. Realising who you are, helping others realise their true potential. A story of love, trust and friendship. I'm leaving this a short review, as it'll just be a lot of gushing otherwise. But This Time Around is a very cute summer read that you must give a go. If you're a fan of NA and love sexy males (like Jake) and enjoy reading about characters finding themselves and giving each other second chances, then pick this book up. It's a delightful little read, that will most certainly leave you wanting more. Lucky for us! There will be a book 2 :) so I eagerly anticipate that one. Book 2 moves on from Nora and Jake so there is no need to worry about a cliffhanger, they have their HEA.

This book is NA, and due to sexual situations (which are SUPER hot!) and language it is recommended for 17+ ages. 

Note: I received an ARC copy of this from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Author Bio: Ellie Grace

Ellie Grace is an avid reader, chocolate lover and caffeine addict. When a story popped into her head that she couldn't seem to shake, she decided to pursue her childhood dream of becoming a writer. When she’s not writing, she’s usually curled up with a book by one of her many, many favourite authors.

Author Social Media Links:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/elliegracebooks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliegracebooks

Blog/Website: http://elliegracebooks.blogspot.com  

On to the giveaway! To be in with a chance of winning, just fill in the rafflecopter form below! 

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Blog Tour for The Summer of No Regrets; Review + INT Giveaway

Posted by Donna
Release Date: May 1st, 2012 
Finished Date: July 24th, 2013

Publishers: Sourcebooks Fire
Source: Book Nerd Tours - For Review

Format: Paperback
Pages: 290
Tour Schedule: HERE

This was the summer that would change my life.

No more being what everyone expected. 

No more doing what everyone else wanted. 

So when Luke came into my life, I decided to keep him a secret. Maybe he as a dead-ringer for notorious Hollywood bad boy Trent Yves. 

And it was possible that everything he told me was a lie. And yes, I was probably asking for trouble. 


But all I saw was Luke--sweet, funny, caring--someone who would let me be the real me. 
But which was the real him?

If you liked The Summer of No Regrets, you will like Luke’s Journal, where Luke gets to have his say. Where did he go the times he disappeared? What was he really going through at home? The book is available as a .99 download from July 18-29.

    

The Review: The Summer of No Regrets has been high on my to be read list for quite some time now, so I'm grateful to Sourcebooks Fire and Book Nerd Tours for the chance to finally read it - and overall, I enjoyed the story.

Brigetta was a fun and very lovable character. She has problems like any other teenager but she’s also a very realistic person.  She’s also person that I believe many will be able to relate too – especially with the celebrity obsession. How many of us have gotten a little obsesses with a movie star or a singer – or even a writer? I know I have. So it was really good to be able to connect to Brigetta that way. 

The mystery surrounding this story is a very fun aspect. Brigitta meets a guy called Luke. However Luke resembles the famous Trent Yves. Is it possible for Brigitta to have landed herself one of the hottest celebrities around? Who knows! I loved how much we go back and forth with these characters – to see how confused Brigitta got actually played a huge impact on my emotions too. Luke tells everyone they’re mistaken – he isn’t a famous movie star, but it’s pretty easy to spot he’s hiding something – you just don’t know what. It was interesting to try and unravel his secrets. 

Another fun aspect of the story was Brigitta’s blog post. Some of the comments left on her blog were quiet funny. I loved how you actually got to see the blog post – it’s always interesting when a publishers decided to create graphic’s in a story like this. 

In all The Summer of No Regrets was a cute and light read. It’s not a story that completely blows you away, therefore it may not be everyone’s cup of tea but it was certainly enjoyable, and I’ll definitely be looking out for more work by this author.

Author: 
Katherine Grace Bond is the author of THE SUMMER OF NO REGRETS (Sourcebooks, 2012) and of the bestselling LEGEND OF THE VALENTINE (Zondervan, 2002), a story of the civil rights movement. She often finds herself in the woods escaping from giant cats and shadowy figures in cloaks. The creator of TEENWrite acting/writing workshops, where participants come as their characters, she lives with her husband in a dimension populated by younger people, some of whom resemble her.

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A Review for Smoke, Wings and Stone by Marijon Braden + eBook Giveaway

Posted by Melanie 
Release Date:  May 10th, 2013
Finished Date: July 11th, 2013

Publishers: Self Published
Source: For Review

Format: Kindle 
Pages: 252

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US 

Carrie and Sara Fleming are as different as two sisters can be. Both in high school, Carrie is an outgoing soccer jock, trying to navigate the minefield of Varsity sports –and dating. Sara is a talented musician, who wants to spend her senior year focusing on graduating and getting into a great music school. Both of their lives change forever when Sara inadvertently finds herself engaged to marry Lucien Gargouille, prince of an ancient race of gargoyles.

Sara has no interest in marrying anyone, but a vow spoken in the moonlight has bound her to Luc – forever. To make matters worse, there is a war brewing. For centuries, the gargoyles have protected mankind from all the dark forces in the world. But someone is making trouble, and trying to break the fragile treaty that has kept evil at bay, and Sara has become a target.

Carrie sees the danger around her sister, but can only watch and wait, hoping that Luc and his Family can keep Sara safe. After all, this is what they were born to do – protect the world from vampires, and all the other creatures, who would try to break out of their darkness. But when the enemy makes a daring move, it falls on Carrie to not only save her sister, but to keep the two worlds from crashing together.

The Review: Smoke, Wings & Stone was a good read and quite unique to me. I have only read one book with Gargoyles as characters and they were nothing like this, where a Gargoyle is more of a shifter and I found I really enjoyed this concept. All of the characters were very likable, especially Carrie & Sara – our main ladies – and the synopsis is accurate in saying they are very different with Carrie being more of a tomboy, very into sports and friends whereas Sara is a dedicated classical musician, both well grounded girls, with a good idea of where they want their lives to be headed… until Carrie introduces Sara to a mysterious young man who has declared her his intended & manages to get her to say a vow that will tie her to him in every way, not only making her his fiancé but also the future Queen of the Gargoyles  - for he is a prince & next in line to the throne. But, the Gargoyles have enemies, enemies that would do anything to gain the upper hand and break the treaty, causing a war that will have disastrous consequences for the whole world and what better way that to get a Lucien than through his beloved – Sara – and in doing so, turns everyone lives upside down. What follows is a game of cat & mouse with Sara being the mouse and the only way to save her & keep the treaty intact is for her to marry Lucien and be protected by the treaty but Sara is a modern girl, she has things she wants to do, places she wants to see and marriage is not on the cards any time soon, much to the chagrin of Lucien & his council as old & new ideals collide.

So, I enjoyed this and as I said, it was quite unique for me and I love the idea of Gargoyle shifters, I don’t really want to go into that because it adds a certain something to the book but I think it’s a great idea for a new type of supernatural. I liked the whole premise, the romance, the danger, the threat, the old meets new and I loved the Gargoyle set up, with its history, politics, enemies etc. it was really interesting and I would have liked to know more. I especially liked that the book was split up into four sections, alternating with Carrie & Sara’s point of view – I think it’s the first time I’ve read anything written like that, usually it’s a chapter each but these were 5 chapters each and every time it swapped, I felt like it gave the book a lift. Both girls views were good but you could even feel the difference in their personalities as you read and I really liked that too. The pacing was good too, as they all tried to live their lives as normally as possible, they were hit with constant threats throughout leading up to a great ending, full of action – just the way I like them. I even liked the romantic complication that popped up for one of the couples…. One thing is for sure & that is, I was definitely left wanting more so I’m hoping for a sequel.

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Waiting on Wednesday (#48)

 

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. 

Jess's WoW

Wild Cards (Wild Cards #1)
by Simone Elkeles

Release date: September 24th, 2013

After getting kicked out of boarding school, bad boy Derek Fitzpatrick has no choice but to live with his ditzy stepmother while his military dad is deployed. Things quickly go from bad to worse when he finds out she plans to move them back to her childhood home in Illinois. Derek’s counting the days before he can be on his own, and the last thing he needs is to get involved with someone else’s family drama.

Ashtyn Parker knows one thing for certain--people you care about leave without a backward glance. A football scholarship would finally give her the chance to leave. So she pours everything into winning a state championship, until her boyfriend and star quarterback betrays them all by joining their rival team. Ashtyn needs a new game plan, but it requires trusting Derek—someone she barely knows, someone born to break the rules. Is she willing to put her heart on the line to try and win it all?

Jess's thoughts: Fan of Simones books. I haven't read loads by her, and I have yet to finish off her Perfect Chemistry trilogy, but I'm pretty damn excited for this one :) it sounds so awesome. 

Donna's WoW

Three (Article 5 #3)
by Kristen Simmons 
Release date: February 11th, 2014 

Ember Miller and Chase Jennings are ready to stop running. After weeks spent in hiding as two of the Bureau of Reformation’s most wanted criminals, they have finally arrived at the safe house, where they hope to live a peaceful and quiet existence—but all that’s left is smoking ruins.

Devastated by the demolition of their last hope, Ember and Chase follow the one thing left to them—tracks leading away from the wreckage. The only sign that there may have been survivors.

Because of their high profiles, they know they can’t stay out in the open for long. They take shelter in the wilderness and amid the ruins of abandoned cities as they follow the tracks down the coast, eventually finding refugees from the destroyed safe house. Among them is someone from Chase’s past—someone he thought he’d never see again.

Banding together, they search for a place to hide, aiming for a settlement a few of them have heard about… a settlement that is rumored to house the nebulous organization known as Three. The very group that has provided Ember with a tiny ray of hope ever since she was first forced on the run.

Three is responsible for the huge network of underground safe houses and resistance groups across the country. And they may offer Ember her only chance to tell the world her story—and to fight back.

Donna's thoughts: I love this series and I'm dying to see how it all ends. And I really love the cover! Chase!!! 

<What's your "waiting on" pick this week?

Want to participate? 
Grab the logo, post your own WoW entry on your blog, and leave your link at Breaking the Spine. 

Happy Reading!

A Review for Darker Days (The Darker Agency #1) by Jus Accardo

Posted by Melanie
Release Date: August 19th, 2013
Finished Date: July 14th, 2013

Publishers: Entangled Teen
Source: For Review

Format: Kindle
Pages: 332

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US 

A little sin can be deadly...

Jessie Darker goes to high school during the day, but at night she helps with the family investigation business. Cheating husbands and stolen inheritances? They’re your girls—but their specialty is a bit darker. Zombie in your garage? Pesky Poltergeist living in your pool? They’ll have the problem solved in a magical minute. For a nominal fee, of course...

When gorgeous new client, Lukas Scott, saunters into the office requesting their help to find a stolen box, it sounds like a simple case—until the truth comes out. The box is full of Sin.

Seven deadly ones, in fact.

They’ve got five days to recapture the Sins before they're recalled by the box, taking seven hijacked human bodies with them. Easy peasy—except for one thing...

There’s a spell that will allow the Sins to remain free, causing chaos forever. When the key ingredient threatens the life of someone she knows, Jessie must make the ultimate choice between love and family—or lose everything.

The Review: Darker Days is a great start to a new promising paranormal series by the author of ‘the Denazen series’. The synopsis is very accurate about what to expect from the book – 17 yr old Jessie Darker and her mother Klaire run a PI company that’s run for generations, who not only deal with the usual things a PI would investigate but also cater to the darker side of our world, the supernatural side, think ghosts, possessions… that type of thing. Their latest case doesn’t just bring a hot new client for Jessie, it also brings the seven deadly sins or should I say the box that ‘used’ to contain them…. Because they have escaped and Lucas has just commissioned the Darker Agency to find them and in the process, hopefully helping him. They have five days…. What’s the worst that could happen?

So, I really enjoyed this book, Jus Accardo has a knack of creating snarky, feisty, kick ass female main characters and Jessie definitely hits that spot, she’s everything I love in a character and considering this is only the first book, she can only get better as the series progresses. I liked the whole premise of the book, having an investigations agency that delves into both the normal & paranormal has endless possibilities with a foot into each world there are bound to be collisions. I loved the plot about the box with the seven deadly sins and the way the characters were written to portray those, it was quite unique and definitely grabbed my interest. I also liked how both worlds came together in this and that there are a few types of paranormals that we are introduced to straight away, I like where Jessie fitted into all of this and her family connections too which you will learn a lot about in this. It was a great read though with good pacing, great humour, great plot, a few twists and turns all coming together to make a first book brimming with potential and I will definitely be keeping my eye out for the sequel. 

A Review for The Summer I Became a Nerd by Leah Rae Miller

Posted by Donna
Release Date: May 7th, 2013 
Finished Date: July 10th, 2013

Publishers: Entangled Teen
Source: For Review

Format: Kindle 
Pages: 267

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

On the outside, seventeen-year-old Madelyne Summers looks like your typical blond cheerleader—perky, popular, and dating the star quarterback. But inside, Maddie spends more time agonizing over what will happen in the next issue of her favorite comic book than planning pep rallies with her squad. That she’s a nerd hiding in a popular girl's body isn’t just unknown, it's anti-known. And she needs to keep it that way.

Summer is the only time Maddie lets her real self out to play, but when she slips up and the adorkable guy behind the local comic shop’s counter uncovers her secret, she’s busted. Before she can shake a pom-pom, Maddie’s whisked into Logan’s world of comic conventions, live-action role-playing, and first-person-shooter video games. And she loves it. But the more she denies who she really is, the deeper her lies become…and the more she risks losing Logan forever

The Review: "People are going to judge you for all kinds of reasons for the rest of your life. Because you vote one way or the other, because you go to one school or the other, because you look a certain way. It’s a fact of life: you can’t make everyone happy. But you can make you happy."

The Summer I Became a Nerd is a cute and lovable read, one that kept me smiling all the way through because it was so enjoyable.  

Seventeen-year-old Maddie is a popular cheerleader who does everything to keep her reputation in place. She's the perfect girl, the perfect girl-friend and the perfect student. However, Maddie is hiding a secret - she secretly a nerd who loves comic books. When an encounter with Logan; another nerd happens, she's left wondering what will become of her now. Can she really be popular and a nerd at the same time? But can she always hide who she really is?

I wasn't expecting much from this story, so I was pleasantly surprised by how much I ended up enjoying it. Maddie is a really fun character, one that I believe many readers will relate too. It's easy to see why Maddie hides who she is, I'm a firm believer that you should always be who you really are but, for a teenager, I can see why Maddie did her hardest to try and fit in - even if it didn't make her happy. She was scared of becoming an outcast and I guess that would scare anyone her age. 
Logan really stood out as a character - he knew who he was and didn't care what anyone else thought of him. He's in touch with his inner nerd and proud of it. I really loved how he brought Maddie out of her shell when it came to the games conventions and dressing up etc.. I have to say it was interesting to read about the game conventions - I'm a total stranger to this world, so it read about it was very entertaining. 

The story itself, even though it was tad predictable, was still a great read. It's full of fun moments and a love story that is very cute. The Summer I Became a Nerd is definitely a book that you should check out this summer. 

A Review for The Impact of You by Kendall Ryan

Posted by Jess
Release Date:June 7th, 2013
Finished Date: June 17th, 2013

Publishers: Self-published
Source: Bought

Format: e-book
Pages: 324

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

Needing an escape from her past, Avery chooses a college where no one knows her. Keeping a low profile was the plan, falling for the intense frat boy, Jase wasn’t. Yet she can’t deny how alive she feels when he’s near. Even as common sense implores her to stay away, her body begs her to get closer.

Jase, numb from his own family drama, has grown bored with weekends fueled by nameless girls and countless bottles when he meets Avery. Helping her cope with her past is better than dealing with the bullshit his own life’s served up. Determined to drive away the painful secret she’s guarding, he appoints himself her life coach, and challenges her to new experiences. Getting close to her and being the one to make her smile are simply perks of the job.

But when Avery’s past boldly saunters in, refusing to be forgotten, can Jase live with the truth about the girl he’s fallen for?

Recommended for 17+ due to mature themes and sexual content.

The Review: "I want this girl. I want her for my own. End of story. The world can fuck off for all I care. She's mine." ~Jase

Another great story from Kendall Ryan, she is becoming a favourite of mine. This is another great book filled with explosive characters and a sexy as hell male. 

I've said many a time that there's only so much of the same story that is written in a NA book, just with good character development, a great story, love, betrayal, trust all rolled into one, The Impact of You makes for a great read.

I pretty much read this in a few days, Kendall Ryan, like a lot of NA authors manages to suck you into their stories from the start, and you just want more as each chapter ends and another begins. 

Avery as a character was great, she is running away from a past hoping that it won't catch up to her and she can just get through college unscaved. As a character she was strong to a certain extent,  but also scared of a lot because of that past. Enter Jase. Jase is our man whore of the story, one that is now fed up of moving from female to female, and he and Avery are pared up together in their human sexuality class. I really loved this for the story, it made for some great moments, some funny ones, and eventually some hot scenes with the both of them. Both Avery and Jase develop as the story unfolds, and both learn from each other.

Once everything comes to blows with Avery's past, the story really leaves you reeling for a while and you simply can't have enough. One of the best things about Kendall's writing is that when things come to light for Avery and Jase, you really feel for her, for both of them. It made the story believable and you could most definitely see where each were coming from.

Overall The Impact of You is a perfect little read if you're looking for a little angst, a little love, some sex, some betrayal, some questionable trust issues etc, if that is your cup of tea, then  I recommend you pick up this book. If you haven't already read a book by Kendall Ryan, then this is a good one to start with. 

I can't wait for her next release. Bravo Kendall Ryan....bravo. 

A Review for Poison Study (Study #1) by Maria V.Synder

Posted by Donna
Release Date: June 7th, 2013
Finished Date: June 25th, 2013

Publishers: Mira Ink
Source: For Review

Format: Paperback
Pages: 409

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

Choose: A quick death or slow poison ... 

On the eve of her execution for murder, Yelena Zaltana is offered an incredible reprieve - on the condition that she becomes the food taster for the military leader of Ixia, Commander Ambrose.

Avoiding poison is the least of her troubles, however ... General Brazell, father of the man she killed, has vowed bloody revenge; she's beginning to have feelings for her captor, Valek; and someone is plotting the downfall of the current regime.

In a desperate race against time, Yelena must learn to control the growing magical talent within her and master the demons of her past. The Commander's life, the future of Ixia and all those she loves depend on it ...

The Review: “Yelena, you've driven me crazy. You've caused me considerable trouble and I've contemplated ending your life twice since I've known you...but you slipped under my skin, invaded my blood and seized my heart.” 

Ever since I read Maria's Healer series, I've been wanting to try her Study series, mainly because everyone adores the series and I'm so pleased now that I do too. 

In Poison Study, we meet Yelena Zaltana who is about to be executed for being found guilty of murder. However, Yelena is offered a way out and that's to become the Commander's new food taster. I loved this storyline! It's fresh and unique idea - one I've not heard of before. Maybe that's down to the fact I don't read many fantasy stories but hey, a girls got to start somewhere. 

I can see a pattern with Maria's female protagonists. She writes strong, independent and smart characters that always stand up for what they believe in. I love characters like this because you can't go wrong with them. Yelena is a fantastic honourable protagonist and Maria wrote her perfectly. And then of course we have Valek - sigh - I love him! It's hard not too. Yelena and Valek bring so many qualities to this story and I was completely absorbed in their relationship, even though it was completely non-existent up until the last 50 pages. It was the suspense of knowing that something would happen with them that kept me enthralled all the way through. The secondary characters provided great entertainment too - Janco and Ari were full of humour and provided quiet a few funny moments. 

In all, Poison Study is a well-written fantasy novel with a touch of romance and one that's highly addictive! I loved it and I'm excited to see what Magic Study brings.

UK Blog Tour for Camp Boyfriend by J.K. Rock; Review + Giveaway

Posted by Jess

Release Date: July 2nd, 2013
Finished Date: 

Publishers: Spencer Hill Contemporary
Source: For Review 

Format: Paperback
Pages: 324

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

The summer of her dreams is about to get a reality check.

They said it couldn't be done, but geeky sophomore Lauren Carlson transformed herself into a popular girl after moving to a new school halfway across the country. Amazing what losing her braces and going out for cheerleading will do. Only trouble is, the popular crowd is wearing on Lauren's nerves and she can't wait to return to summer camp where she's valued for her brain instead of her handsprings. She misses her old friends and most of all, her long time camp-only boyfriend, Seth. This year she intends to upgrade their relationship to year-round status once she's broken up with her new, jock boyfriend, Matt. He doesn't even begin to know the real her, a girl fascinated by the night sky who dreams of discovering new planets and galaxies.

But Matt isn't giving her up without a fight. As he makes his case to stay together, Lauren begins to realize his feelings run deeper than she ever would have guessed. What if the guy she thought she was meant to be with forever isn't really The One? Returning to Camp Juniper Point was supposed to ground her uprooted life, but she's more adrift than ever. Everything feels different and soon Lauren's friends are turning on her and both guys question what she really wants. As summer tensions escalate, Lauren wonders if she's changed more than she thought. Will her first big discovery be herself?

The Review: Right so, I struggled a little to start with, but I put that down to me having started a series before this and missing those characters. I was struggling to get into the story and connect with any of the characters in Camp Boyfriend. 

I haven't read the prequel to this, so I just jumped straight in to Camp Boyfriend and although I struggled a little for the most part, I liked it as well. I liked the idea of camp. I'm not a fan of love triangles. I was also not a big fan of Lauren, I thought she was a little 'me, me, I, I. I eventually looked past that, and as the story went on and I gave it more of a chance I came to enjoy it a little more. The progression was fine for the story that needed to be told. I did feel that a lot of the characters came off a little younger than 17, so in parts I found bits a little immature for my reading taste. But other than that, it was fine. 

With regards to the romance, it seems for a triangle it really turned out not to be one. 1 guy (the guy Lauren ultimately ends up choosing) is more prominent in the book than the other, so it was a little obvious as to who she was going to choose, when writing a love triangle you really need to make both boys present through out the book, not one more than the other. It worked to an extent but, I felt the romance in the end was a little anticlimactic  BUT having said that, both boys were wonderful boys, and I guess I could see the hard decision Lauren had to make.

As the story develops so do the characters, and Lauren finds herself and decides to she likes who she is. Matt discovers his new self and likes that part of him, and Seth....well...he sort of stays the same. Overall a neat story.

Overall Camp Boyfriend was a cute read, one good for summer and if you enjoy the protagonist finding herself and picking one of two boy options, then it's probably a book you should read. Will I recommend it? Yeah I guess I would, but only for the reasons above. If you want angst, swoon then probably not the right book for you. Will I read it again? Meh, probably not. I couldn't really stand Lauren as much as I tried, and if a protagonist annoys me then I won't re-read. 

I did enjoy it to an extent, but I'm dropping two stars because of Lauren and her selfishness in places, and because it all overall seemed a little younger than I like to care to read. As authors J.K Rock are great and if they branch out in a slightly older field I will read something else of theirs, but as far as their YA stuff goes....it's not for me. Doesn't mean it isn't for you though. Give it a go, and make up your own mind :)


Note: I received an ARC copy of this from Spencer Hill in exchange for an honest review.

Don't forget you can get the prequel for FREE! 

Camp Kiss by J.K Rock

The Camp Kiss That Started It All…

Lauren Carlson, a fourteen-year-old expert on the cosmos, superheroes, and science fiction trivia has a crush on her longtime camp friend, Seth. Last summer she’d dreamed about upgrading their relationship to BF/GF status and this year she has a plan… if only her well-meaning cabin mates wouldn’t interfere before she’s ready. She hasn’t even adjusted to her new braces yet, let alone imagined kissing Seth with them. When a dare pushes her out of her comfort zone, will she and Seth rocket out of the friendzone at last? There’s only one way to find out…

Camp Kiss on Goodreads

- Free Download of Camp Kiss

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Authors: 
J. K. Rock is the pseudonym for YA writing partners - and sisters-in-law - Joanne & Karen Rock. Although they started out sharing an annual shopping trip, they ended up discussing their favorite films and books, joining the same book club  and talking about writing... a lot. Their debut novel, Camp Boyfriend, is the first in a three-book series that was plotted during family pool parties. Their creative partnership is unique in that they enjoy passing a book back and forth, each adding a chapter and fine-tuning the chapter before. Years of friendship has yielded a shared voice and vision for their work that makes writing a pleasure. 

Links: JK Rock Website / Joanne on Twitter / Karen on Twitter / Facebook