{Review} Worth It (Forbidden Men #6) by Linda Kage

Posted by Donna
Release Date: August 25th, 2015
Finished Date: September 15th, 2015

Publishers: Self Published
Genre: NA, Contemporary, Romance
Source: For Review
Format: eARC

Pages: 395
Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US

I fell in love once. It was amazing. She was amazing. Life was amazing. I lived for each time I could see her, and nothing else mattered, not that our families were enemies, our time together was forbidden, or we had to meet in secret. Our love could conquer all. Until it didn't. So I was ripped away from the love of my life and shoved into hell, forced to continue without her. It shattered me, broke the best parts of me, left me permanently damaged.
Or so I thought. Years later, I swear history’s trying to repeat itself because she’s back in my life, and I’m just as drawn to her as I was before. But I'm older and wiser now, and I know she should stay away from a worthless piece of ex-con like me. So, I will not let her in. I absolutely refuse to hurt her. I will keep her away. Then again, sometimes risking your greatest fear to get to a smile makes everything worth it, and besides, I’m not sure I can resist her, anyway. This is the story of how Felicity Bainbridge changed my life forever, starting one summer day long ago after I was forced to change a dirty diaper...
--Knox Parker

The Review: Worth It is book 6 in the Forbidden Men series by new adult author Linda Kage and it was so good to be back to this series!

Knox Parker and Felicity Bainbridge families have always been enemies especially after one of Felicity’s brother got Knox’s sister pregnant as a teenager and denied he was the baby’s father. But Knox is determined to get some payback on behalf of his sister and doing so, he meets Felicity and they secretly form a bond, a relationship that they spend the summer hiding from they’re families. Until one night their worlds come crashing down and Knox’s ends up in Jail but Felicity is determined to wait for Knox. 

Fast forward 6 years and Felicity decided she couldn’t wait for Knox after he was sentenced for committing murder while in Jail but fate has other plans when Knox is released from Jail and somehow ends up working at Felicity’s work place but Knox has changed so much from the 18 year old boy that Felicity once knew. And while Knox is determined to stay away from her, Felicity is determined to crack the hard shell on the man she fell in love with all those years ago……

I was excited to read Knox and Felicity’s story just because they seemed to pop out of nowhere at the end of the last book and left everyone wondering just who these people were. I was so looking forward to reading their story because it sounded completely different from what I’ve previously read and while I enjoyed it, I just felt the story has a few issues.  

Like I said, I did enjoy the story. I loved how we got the back story to how the main character’s journey started. It was entertaining and full of sweet romance. I liked how the story was set in past and present tense. It really adds to the suspense of the story and makes us readers sit on edge waiting for the part we all know was coming – the reunion. However for me, this is where the story started to bug me. I just felt so coincidental that he’d bumps into Zoey, Pick and then of course Felicity. I guess I was expecting a bit more of a run around like Knox trying to find Felicity or something. This wasn’t my only issue though. I felt that Linda built up a good story and then at the end decided to throw a huge secret into the story that for me felt unnecessary – it just felt so dark for the story when the story was already dark enough as it was. I guess I could say okay, I understand that something bad happened to Knox but I really didn’t enjoy the characters explaining – in detail – to Felicity the events. It left a sour taste in my mouth and yes, I understand that this type of stuff happens to people but I felt the events were hashed out a bit too explicit for my tastes and felt the way it was delivered to Felicity could have been handled without so much details. 

Even though I did have issues with the story, I still did enjoy Knox and Felicity’s journey together. I’m even more excited for the next book though…yes, I can’t wait!

Thank you to Linda Kage and Xpresso Book Tours for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review. 

 

{Review} Surviving Ice (Burying Water #4) by K.A. Tucker

Posted by Donna
Release Date: October 27th, 2015
Finished Date: September 13th, 2015

Publishers: Atria Books
Genre: NA, Contemporary, Romance, Suspense
Source: For Review
Format: eARC

Pages: 320
Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / Book Depo

The USA TODAY bestselling author of the Ten Tiny Breaths series and Burying Water—which Kirkus Reviews called “a sexy, romantic, gangster-tinged page-turner”—returns with a new novel packed with romance, plot twists, and psychological suspense.

Ivy, a talented tattoo artist who spent the early part of her twenties on the move, is finally looking for a place to call home. She thinks she might have found it in San Francisco, but all that changes when she witnesses a terrible crime. She’s ready to pack up her things yet again, when a random encounter with a stranger keeps her in the city, giving her reason to stay after all.

That is, until Ivy discovers that their encounter wasn’t random. Not at all…

The Review: Surviving Ice is the final book in the Burying Water series by K.A. Tucker and I have to admit, it’s a sad moment seeing this series end.

Surviving Ice is Ivy’s book. Since the start Ivy has always been an interesting secondary character who seems to pops up in each book so I’m glad she’s finally had her story told because I’ve always wanted to get to know her better. We last saw her in Ireland but now she’s back in San Francisco working at her Uncle tattoo shop and finally feel like she’s home and that’s all down to her Uncle. But when Ivy witnesses her Uncle’s murder everything changes – she can’t get out of San Francisco quick enough but first she has to settle her Uncle’s affairs. But as she does, she discovers her Uncle was tied up in something that someone is wanting keeping quiet – no matter the cost.

Ivy and Sebastian’s story is similar to the other stories in regards to the romantic suspense. Their story brings romance, danger, mystery, suspense all rolled into one and provides an entertaining read. I was really looking forward to reading Ivy’s story and I have to say while I did enjoy it, it wasn’t my favourite out of the series, I didn’t feel as connected to her as the other previous characters or even the love interest, but don’t let that put you off as it’s still definitely worth a read and I’m glad I’ve read it.

Ivy has always been a strong character and her strength definitely shows throughout her story. She’s always been independent and never relies on anyone but herself. She’s trust few little people and is always looking for her next place to call home, but it’s not until Sebastian comes along that she starts to realise what she was really looking for - someone to share the happy times with and it does take her a while to realise this. But once she does, the moments between her and Sebastian are touching and sometimes very intense. As a love interest, Sebastian was okay. Again, I didn't feel that pull to him as much as the other guys from this series but I felt he fit with Ivy perfectly. 

In all, I'm sad to see this series go but I'm excited to see what comes next from K.A. Tucker! 

3.5 Stars!

Thank you to Arita Books for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review

{Review} The Sleeping King by Cindy Dees

Posted by Melanie
Release Date: September 8th, 2015

Finished Date: September 13th, 2015

Publishers: Tor Teen
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Source: For Review
Format: eARC

Pages: 496
Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / Book Depo 

 

The Sleeping King is the start of a new fantasy series by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Cindy Dees.

Dees has won a Golden Heart Award, two RITAs for Category Suspense and Adventure and has also twice snared RT's Series Romantic Suspense of the Year. She is a great storyteller, and the adventures in her more than fifty novels are often inspired by her own life. Dees is an Air Force vet-the youngest female pilot in Air Force history-and fought in the first Gulf War. She's had amazing adventures, and she's used her experiences to tell some kickass stories.

But as much as she loves romances, Cindy's other passion has been fantasy gaming. For almost twenty years she's been involved with Dragon Crest, one of the original live action role-playing games. She's the story content creator on the game, and wanted to do an epic fantasy based on it, with the blessing and input of Dragon Crest founder Bill Flippin.

The Sleeping King is the first in an epic fantasy series, featuring the best of the genre: near immortal imperial overlords, a prophecy of a sleeping elven king who's said to be the savior of the races . . . and two young people who are set on a path to save the day.

The Review: The Sleeping King is the first book in a new epic fantasy series by Cindy Dees and epic it turned out to be!

The synopsis seems to tell the reader more about the author than the actual book so I’ll try and tempt you a little….

In this adventure fantasy story we have a world – Urth – that has varying lands and inhabitants. Magic is aplenty but so is the tyranny. We start the book with events that happened years ago, a controlling emperor who can bend anyones thoughts and will to his own, his power hungry overlords who rule regions of Urth in any manner they choose as long as they line the Emperor’s pockets and some good people who a forced to make sacrifices for the greater good…… but there is also a prophecy…. One that portends the downfall of the Emperor and his regime! The emperor will do everything in his power to stop this from happening but can you change fate?

Fast forward a few years and we meet Will, a young lad on the brink of adulthood wanting to prove to his parents that he should be allowed to train & fight for his little village. Little does he know that his village will need fighting for very soon and everything he thought he knew – is not all there is to know. He is sent on an errand to a nearby city to report to one person alone and to warn them that the enemy is moving and they need to prepare – but will he be taken seriously when the Governor of the city is corrupt as they come?

Elsewhere Raina is on the verge of becoming a woman, 16 and on the cusp of life – that is until she has a family tradition thrust upon her that will change everything and leave her all but caged. Headstrong Raina will refuse her family tradition, she will not accept what is laid out for her and she will flee her home in a desperate escape from a life that she doesn’t want. With help from a mysterious Elf she will search for a way to relieve her family from its duty so that no other daughter will be forced to accept a fate like that which is waiting for her.

Both Will and Raina believe the answer to their problems is in the prophecy of the ‘Sleeping King’ who will conquer all and bring the world back into balance. They head out with some friends in the hopes they will find the Kings resting place so they can awaken him…..but many enemies await and they journey will be full of danger – will they set a prophecy in motion? Will they wake the Sleeping King?

So, it sounds good right? Well it was! It was epic! I love books like this that can take you far away from your life and deposit you into a whole other world filled with all kinds of wonderful things. The author did a great job of bringing this world to life, as you may have read – it is based upon an online game ‘Dragon Crest’ and how fab that she has made it into a book! I loved nearly everything about this although I didn’t really get into it until the 20% mark when things started to get moving. I really enjoyed getting to know all of the characters, they were all written as such that their character is true to their person for instance Will is extremely brave and moral and that really comes across well, which helps connect with them. Raina is another example in that you can tell she is headstrong, sassy and not afraid to fight for what she wants. The bad guys felt like bad guys, as a reader I wanted them caught and punished, I wanted bad stuff to happen to them for what they put everyone else through so that indicates to me how good the author portrayed the characters of the book because I was invested in every one of them.

The storyline was great, lots of different lands and scenery to be discovered with all of its creatures too. It was quite easy to understand the dynamics of Urth and I didn’t feel like I got overloaded with information. To be fair, the characters really made this book for me but I really appreciated the rest too, I mean when you have portals that drop you in a dryad grove – it’s always going to impress. I loved the prophecy angle, it gave the book a very adventurous feel where the main characters go on a quest and encounter all manner of things. I suppose it could be compared to a Lord of the Rings –esque scenario on a lesser scale but the same sort of enjoyment to be had. For all the story had a really slow start, once the character were in place and things started moving, the pacing was good and I was kept interested all of the way through. There are side threads to this story also which will probably develop over the series so it isn’t all focused on the prophecy and I do look forward to those being revealed. As fantasies go though, this was brilliant! It had everything you could want in a fantasy – prophecy, strange worlds, diverse set of characters & species, evil enemies with one that you just know will be the end series bad guy, plenty of magic, secrets, discoveries, battles, puzzles……even a smidgen of romance -  it’s all there and it’s all very enthralling. I simply can’t wait for book two! 

4.5 stars!  

Thank you to Tor Books for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review. 

 

{Review} Led Astray: The Best of Kelley Armstrong by Kelley Armstrong

Posted by Melanie
Release Date: September 15th, 2015
Finished Date: September 13th, 2015

Publishers: Tachyon Publications
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Source: For Review
Format: eARC
Pages: 384

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US
 

Two brand new tales anchor this wide-ranging collection from one of urban fantasy's most successful authors. Here is the first time that best-selling fantasy, YA, and crime author Kelley Armstrong has had her stories collected from Otherworld and beyond. With her signature twists and turns, Armstrong gives a fresh spin on city-dwelling vampires, werewolves, and zombies, while also traveling further afield, to a post-apocalyptic fortress, a superstitious village, a supernatural brothel, and even to feudal Japan.

With tales that range from humorous to heart-stopping, these are the stories that showcase Kelley Armstrong at her versatile best.

- Rakshashi (standalone)

- Kat (Darkest Powers universe, non-series narrator)

- A Haunted House of Her Own (standalone)

- Learning Curve (Otherworld universe, Zoe)

- The Screams of Dragons (Cainsville universe, non-series narrator)

- The Kitsune’s Nine Tales (Age of Legends universe, non-series narrator)

- Last Stand (standalone)

- Bamboozled (Otherworld universe, non-series narrator)

- Branded (Otherworld universe, non-series narrator)

- The List (Otherworld universe, Zoe)

- Young Bloods (Otherworld universe, non-series narrator)

- The Door (standalone, original to this collection)

- Dead Flowers by a Roadside (standalone)

- Suffer the Children (standalone)

- The Collector (standalone)

- Gabriel’s Gargoyles (Cainsville universe, Gabriel)

- Harbinger (standalone)

- V Plates (Otherworld universe, Nick)

- Life Sentence (Otherworld universe, non-series narrator)

- Plan B (standalone)

- The Hunt (Cainsville universe, non-series narrator)

- Dead to Me (standalone)

- Devil May Care (Cainsville universe, Patrick, original to this collection)

The Review: Kelley Armstrong has to be in my top ten authors to read, her world building and storytelling are brilliant and I really become engrossed in her stories – that being said, this book didn’t really do it for me. Yes the stories are well written, they are intriguing and quite unique…. But what they didn’t do - was excite me. I know that a short story is a tricky thing, it has to pull you in and tell a story in such a short space plus the endings usually make you have to think for yourself and I love all of that but these just fell short. To pick some positivity out of it though I will say that obviously they are well written, when you read the story you are present in that world and interested in the characters. The characters are all intriguing and it makes me want to know more about them particularly the Cainsville series characters and that in turn makes me want to read the series because what we do get from the multiple stories set there, has really interested me and makes me feel the series has a lot to offer. The stories vary greatly in subject and nature, giving a real spectrum of what the author has to offer but to tout this as the ‘Best of Kelley Armstrong’ in my eyes is doing her a disservice because she is better than this. I suppose the stories are very fitting to the ‘Led Astray’ title of the book and a good section stand out as good stories with the potential to be great books but even the appearance of my much loved ‘otherworld pack’ members couldn’t spark the excitement in me. It ended up being a total chore to finish this book and it makes me so sad to have to review it as such.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review. 

 

{Review} Dangerous Lies by Becca Fitzpatrick

Posted by Donna
Release Date: November 10th, 2015
Finished Date: August 9th, 2015

Publishers: Simon & Schuster UK
Genre: NA, Contemporary, Thriller
Source: For Review
Format: ARC

Pages: 400
Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

A teen is forced to make a fresh start after witnessing a violent crime—but love and danger find her anyway in this novel from Becca Fitzpatrick, the New York Times bestselling author of the Hush, Hush saga.

Stella Gordon is not her real name. Thunder Basin, Nebraska, is not her real home. This is not her real life.

After witnessing a lethal crime, Stella Gordon is sent to the middle of nowhere for her own safety before she testifies against the man she saw kill her mother’s drug dealer.

But Stella was about to start her senior year with the boyfriend she loves. How can she be pulled away from the only life she knows and expected to start a new one in Nebraska? Stella chafes at her protection and is rude to everyone she meets. She’s not planning on staying long, so why be friendly? Then she meets Chet Falconer and it becomes harder to keep her guard up, even as her guilt about having to lie to him grows.

As Stella starts to feel safer, the real threat to her life increases—because her enemies are actually closer than she thinks…

The Review: DNF at p80

I’m always a little excited when I hear that Becca Fitzpatrick will have a new book being released soon. I know some of you have your up’s and down’s with her but for me, I’ve either enjoyed or loved her work but never have I not finished one of her books until now.

Dangerous Lies has a great concept behind the story (or so what I read anyways). It’s not often that I read YA thrillers but when I do I’m always hoping to be blown away and unfortunately this just didn’t do anything for me. Actually, that’s a little white lie. It wasn’t the story that was the problem. It was the main character who ruined this book for me. Up to the point where I just couldn’t take any more of her. Sounds mean I know, but she has to have been one of the worst characters I’ve read about in a long, long time.

To start with I could sympathize with Stella. She’s a young girl who hadn’t had the best upbringing and had a mother who didn’t care about her and who would rather do drugs than be her mother. And because of her mother, her life is turned upside down and she's being placed in witness protection. So yes, I definitely sympathized with her. But her attitude and complete disrespect for the people who were trying to help her was so rude it made me actually want to jump and shake her. I don’t know if it’s because I’m getting older or if I just really took a disliking to Stella but I find I have less patience for characters like her and where I would be able to push through a book with a self-centered main character like her, now I find I can’t. I don’t want to because I know I’ll just end up hating the book even more by the time I’ve finished. So unfortunately for me this was the reason I did not finish this book which makes me sad because it’s a book by Becca but, I guess I’ll just wait for her next release and fingers crossed I’ll enjoy that one more.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster UK for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.

 

{Blog Tour} Kissed by Fire (Blood & Magic #2) by Danielle Annett

Posted by Melanie
Release Date: September 1st, 2015
Finished Date: September 19th, 2015

Publishers: Self Published
Genre: Urban Fantasty
Source: For Review
Format: eARC

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US
 

As Friend of the Pack, Aria Naveed should be untouchable, protected by the most influential group in the Pacific Northwest. But someone is unleashing rogue vampires to hunt her down, and she is determined to find out why.

When Aria gains command of Sanborn Place and takes on a case involving a mysterious paranormal, her life is put in more peril than ever as she finds herself bound to an influential power player. She doesn't want to be anyone's puppet, but must tread carefully as she traverses the streets of Spokane, WA, or risk being overwhelmed by the forces moving against her.

As the only known pyrokinetic in the area, Aria is in high demand, but not for her services. It seems that to those in power, she's worth more dead than alive, and if a mysterious enemy has their way, she won't live long enough to find out why.

The Review: Kissed by Fire is the second book in the Blood & Magic series and it was definitely as fab as the first!

As the dust settles on the aftermath of book 1, Aria finds herself dealing with mixed emotions – grieving for the loss of her father figure and employer Mike, guilt over his death, betrayal by more than one person which is seriously messing with her emotions and the need for normalcy. When she finds out that Mike has left her Sanborn Place in his will, she’s uncertain how she feels about it but after a talk with his widow she finally sees it as her chance to keep living. She dives straight into a case but seeing as she is staying on pack property, she gets a babysitter and that is stifling…… but when she finds herself hovering between life and death…. She gets a whole lot more than a babysitter – she gets bonded!

The bond makes her feel even more of a prisoner than she did already but it could come in handy when enemies start emerging and wanting her dead. More than one power player is fighting for her attention and they are not above taking what they want – forcing Aria to make some serious decisions herself.

I seriously loved everything about this book! My only grumble is that it is too short – I want more!

As I mentioned – Aria is going through a rough time following the loss of Mike and feeling guilt for it which is totally understandable, she is also reeling from the discovery about her mother & betrayal by someone she was becoming emotionally attached to. I really like Aria’s character, I like that she is fiercely independent and hates to rely on anyone but that is also a danger to her when she can’t accept help and it’s going to come to a head here. I liked the vulnerability she showed here as well, her grief for Mike was endearing and showed her in a softer light. Her love life is still a little tangled but I like where it seems to be going and I love the chemistry with the one she gets bonded to.

They may have diverted a war between the shifters and the vamps but that doesn’t mean there aren’t others actively seeking to create one still. She’s stuck on who to trust but the pack have her back and have given her a place to stay that brings safety to her life. Aria is put into dangerous situations time and again as she tries to work out who is behind the latest attempts on her life because it’s clear someone wants her out of the picture and she’s going to need to put that stubborn streak to one side and get help. She ends up in some precarious positions as it seems as if her life is spiralling out of control and she is being pulled in all directions. When she does find out what is going on… she’s in for a few shocks. Once again this book is fab! It is well written with great characters, the author has created a really good world & scenario and it’s everything you want from a book in this genre, it was perfect to me right down to the pacing and again, I am left wanting more! 

Thank you to Danielle Annette for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.

 

About the Author: Danielle Annett is a reader, writer, photographer, and the blogger behind Coffee and Characters. Born in the SF Bay area, she now resides in Spokane, WA, the primary location for her Blood & Magic series. Addicted to coffee at an early age, she spends her restless nights putting pen to paper as she tries to get all of the stories out of her head before the dogs wake up the rest of the house and vye for her attention.You can learn more about Danielle on her website at Danielle-Annett.com or follow on on facebook at                                                       https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDaniel... and on twitter @Danielle_Annett 

                                                              a Rafflecopter giveaway

{INT Giveaway} Fall from India Place by Samantha Young

Fall from India Place
By Samantha Young
Release Date: June 4th, 2014

Publishers: Piatkus
Genre: NA, Contemporary, Romance

Pages: 370
Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

When Hannah Nichols last saw Marco D’Alessandro, five long years ago, he broke her heart. The bad boy with a hidden sweet side was the only guy Hannah ever loved—and the only man she’s ever been with. After one intense night of giving into temptation, Marco took off, leaving Scotland and Hannah behind. Shattered by the consequences of their night together, Hannah has never truly moved on.

Leaving Hannah was the biggest mistake of Marco’s life, something he has deeply regretted for years. So when fate reunites them, he refuses to let her go without a fight. Determined to make her his, Marco pursues Hannah, reminding her of all the reasons they’re meant to be together.…

But just when Marco thinks they’re committed to a future together, Hannah makes a discovery that unearths the secret pain she’s been hiding from him, a secret that could tear them apart before they have a real chance to start over again

I've been meaning to post this giveaway for a while, I know, time gets away with me sometimes. 

Anyway back in April I attended the British Book Affairs book signing in London and and met two of my favourite authors, first being Abbi Glines and the second being Samantha Young. 

I know many of you couldn't attend so I thought I'd get a copy of Fall from India Place to get signed for one lucky winner. So that's what I did. I met Samantha Young...as you can see and got this beauty of a book signed. 

So now here's your chance to WIN this baby! 

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{Feature} Waiting on Wednesday (#128)

 

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

Donna's WoW

Titans 
by Victoria Scott
Release Date: February 23rd, 2016


From Victoria Scott, author of FIRE & FLOOD, comes a thrilling story of impossible odds.

Ever since the Titans first appeared in her Detroit neighborhood, Astrid Sullivan’s world has revolved around the mechanical horses. She and her best friend have spent countless hours watching them and their jockeys practice on the track. It’s not just the thrill of the race. It’s the engineering of the horses and the way they’re programmed to seem so lifelike. The Titans are everything that fascinates Astrid, and nothing she’ll ever touch.

She hates them a little, too. Her dad lost everything betting on the Titans. And the races are a reminder of the gap between the rich jockeys who can afford the expensive machines to ride, and the working class friends and neighbors of Astrid’s who wager on them.

But when Astrid’s offered a chance to enter an early model Titan in this year’s derby, well, she decides to risk it all. Because for a girl from the wrong side of the tracks, it’s more than a chance at fame or money. Betting on herself is the only way she can see to hang on to everyone in the world she cares about.

  Donna's thoughts: This looks so good! I love Victoria Scott!
 
Melanie's WoW

Feverborn (Fever #8)
by Karen Marie Moning
Release Date: January 19th, 2016

In Karen Marie Moning’s latest installment of the epic #1 New York Times bestselling Fever series, the stakes have never been higher and the chemistry has never been hotter. Hurtling us into a realm of labyrinthine intrigue and consummate seduction, FEVERBORN is a riveting tale of ancient evil, lust, betrayal, forgiveness and the redemptive power of love.

When the immortal race of the Fae destroyed the ancient wall dividing the worlds of Man and Faery, the very fabric of the universe was damaged and now Earth is vanishing bit by bit. Only the long-lost Song of Making—a haunting, dangerous melody that is the source of all life itself—can save the planet.

But those who seek the mythic Song—Mac, Barrons, Ryodan and Jada—must contend with old wounds and new enemies, passions that burn hot and hunger for vengeance that runs deep. The challenges are many: The Keltar at war with nine immortals who’ve secretly ruled Dublin for eons, Mac and Jada hunted by the masses, the Seelie queen nowhere to be found, and the most powerful Unseelie prince in all creation determined to rule both Fae and Man. Now the task of solving the ancient riddle of the Song of Making falls to a band of deadly warriors divided among—and within—themselves.

Once a normal city possessing a touch of ancient magic, Dublin is now a treacherously magical city with only a touch of normal. And in those war-torn streets, Mac will come face to face with her most savage enemy yet: herself.
Melanie's thoughts: I adore this series and will always look for more.

<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!

{Review} Spiral of Need (The Mercury Pack #1) by Suzanne Wright

Posted by Donna
Release Date: September 29th, 2015
Finished Date: August 23rd, 2015

Publishers: Montlake Romance
Genre: NA, Contemporary, Romance
Source: For Review
Format: eBook

Pages: 322
Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

Ally Marshall isn’t just a wolf shifter — she’s a Seer.

But a girl doesn’t exactly need special powers to know that Derren Hudson despises her entire kind. Disdain practically rolls off the Beta of the Mercury Pack . . . disdain mixed with a healthy dose of desire. And no matter how much the ruggedly handsome male appeals to her, this is one call of the wild she’s determined to ignore.

After one betrayal too many, Derren doesn’t have much use for Seers — except for Ally.

Forced into acting as her protector, he finds himself intensely and passionately drawn to the woman who incites his primal instinct to claim.

And when enemies target the pack, Ally’s gift may be just what the Mercury Pack needs.

Can he put his distrust aside, or will he force himself to turn his back on the one woman who makes his inner beast howl?

The Review: I just can’t get enough of Suzanne Wright’s shifter books! Spiral of Need is the first book in the spin-off series to Phoenix Pack. I’ve been addicted ever since I read Feral Sins and so I’m thrilled that she’s widening the shifter’s world by writing this spin-off series and Spiral of Need was an instant favourite! 

Spiral of Need follows Derren Hudson - the beta of of the Mercury pack and Ally Marshal a dominant wolf but she is also a seer. Most people hate seers' because they abuse their gift and Derren hates them with a passion. Actually most of the Mercury Pack do. So when Ally is being targeted by her beta female, a close friend of Ally's reaches out to Derren and the rest of the Mercury pack and asks them to take Ally in for her own protection. Derren reluctantly agrees but when Ally's gift starts becoming helpful to the Mercury and Phoenix pack they and including Derren start warming up to Ally, and soon Derren's feelings turn into something more. 

I really, really love Suzanne Wright's books and with each new shifter book I find I love her work more and more. I don't think I've found any other author that quiet hits the spot like Suzanne - and I would love to find more, so if anyone has any recommendations, I'd really appreciate that. 

What I love about these stories is the mix between the relationship and the plot of the story. It's always woven together so great that leaves you on the edge of your seat. The romance is totally swoon-worthy and always so suspenseful and then the remaining plot is dangerous and so fast paced that it's impossible not to love. I love how the plot changes from each book. It makes me wonder what is next to come and I can't wait!

Derren and Ally were fantastic characters. With Ally being a new character introduced I had no background information until I started reading but I immediately loved her. She's feisty, sassy and very sharp. She's got skills that are seriously impressive and I thought she had a lot to offer the Mercury pack. She needed someone like Derren, strong, loyal but more importantly someone who she could connect with over their bad start in life. Derren and Ally were a great match and I enjoyed every minute of them together. 

In all, this was a hit, a massive hit and I can't wait for more from Suzanne Wright!

Thank you to Montlake Romance for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.

 

{Review} Dance with the Devil (Soul's Harbor Pride #1) by Angela Dennis

Posted by Melanie
Release Date: September 22nd, 2015
Finished Date: August 31st, 2015

Publishers:  Samhain Publishing
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Source: For Review
Format: eARC

Pages: 182
Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US

Born to be enemies. Destined to be lovers.

After killing one of her father’s enforcers, half-blood lion shifter Jillian Winters ran for her life, landing in an upscale bar halfway across the country. Her boss, Carrick—a pure-blood shifter—has no idea his barmaid is a fugitive.

When her father’s recklessness puts the Pride at risk, Jillian must return home and assume his place as Alpha. But not before she indulges in a taste of the attraction that’s been building for years between her and Carrick.

Carrick Granger has had a soft spot for Jillian from the moment she stepped into his bar, soaking wet and afraid of her own shadow. He knows she has secrets. So does he. He’s also the outcast son of an Alpha—and now that his father is dead, he, too, has been summoned home.

Thinking they’ll never see each other again, the simmering heat between them ignites like a match to gunpowder. But then the bullets start flying, forcing them to choose—duty to their Prides, or the one person they can’t live without.

Warning: This book contains deception, lies, betrayal, a sexy lion who is determined to claim his mate, and a mating bond that will change the landscape of the Prides forever.

The Review: Dance with the Devil is the first book in the Soul's Harbor Pride series and I have to say….. I’m impressed!

We start the book with a hook up between Jillian & Carrick, both are hiding the fact that they are shifters and both are unknowingly enemies living away from their prides. To be able to live away from the pride they must accept that if they are summoned back – they go straight back home. Both have been summoned, both assume that it’s because there will be a claiming and they are about to be mated off with someone and it will be totally out of their control……What they don’t know though…. The summoning is about to change both of their lives forever.

I have to say – I loved this book! I loved the premise, I loved the romance, I loved the characters and everything that happened throughout the story, so much so that I devoured it and read it in one sitting.

Both of our main characters were likable and easy to connect with, they had an air of mystery about them from the start – where are they from? Who are they really? How they both not realise each other was a shifter? Why are they being called home? They had undeniable chemistry from the start too, giving plenty of sexytime to the story before the shiz hit the fan.

Now, those questions I asked, are going to be answered - big time! And both of them are in for a shock. I don’t want to spoil any of the story and a lot of the secrecy is about their origins but the storyline is great. There’s trouble at home, the pride will soon be leaderless, there is a governing body that has decreed that certain things need to happen, it’s time for everyone to find a mate or have one found for them and those that hold power will do as they’re told or it will mean a death sentence. Not only that, there are murders to contend with too, someone is killing women and seems to be sending a message to Jillian. She is more than capable of defending herself but what about when the enemy doesn’t play fair? They are all trapped underground for 3 days to claim a mate but it also means that the killer could be down there with them and they’re sitting ducks with no chance of escape.

As I mentioned, I devoured this book and it was such an easy read that delivered all of the elements that kept me turning page after page. I was so engaged in the story, it had it all – mystery, secrets, lies, manipulation, misdirection, plenty of plotting and scheming, danger & violence but also a couple with great chemistry that you could really route for and of course some awesome sexual tension and sexytime to get us hot under the collar. I’ll definitely be looking out for more.

Thank you to Angela Dennis for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.

 

{Review} Nightbloom (Nightwing #3) by Juliette Cross

Posted by Melanie

Release Date: September 1st, 2015
Finished Date: August 25th, 2015

Publishers: Lyrical Press
Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal
Source: For Review
Format: eARC

Pages: Unknown
Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US

The love between a human and a Morgon, the dragon-hybrid race, tempts fate once more…

All her life, Ella Barrow has allowed others to make her decisions. Forced to stifle her artistic talents and stay in a loveless relationship with Clayton Kerrington, the man her mother believes to be her perfect match, Ella’s life may be safe—but it’s not her own. Paxon Nightwing, on the other hand, is anything but the safe choice.

A charming and alluring Morgon, Paxon sees Ella for the woman she truly is. His bold confidence and protective nature ignites a passion she’s never felt before. But a dark family tragedy forces their secrecy—until Clayton makes it impossible to hide their clandestine affair. Will Ella be strong enough to fight for herself at last? Or will she succumb once more and risk losing the only man she’s ever loved?

The Review: I adore this series! It’s as simple as that and unfortunately this is the last one.

Paxon has met Ella before -considering she is close friends with his cousins’ mates- but for some reason never really noticed her until he enters the NightWing office she is working in where she is currently on her hands and knees looking for something; needless to say – he’s intrigued. It’s not until she attends the Vaengar games that he sees her again but unfortunately she is in the company of her boyfriend Clayton. When Clayton wagers one of her kisses to the victor of a fight, Paxon is more than happy to step in… only not for the reason you would think. Ella is enchanted by Paxon, she has never felt this way about anyone but she also belongs to a family that are prejudice against the Morgon race and she knows that they would never accept him. Should she live her life by society’s expectations or should she follow her heart and grab the only man to make her feel alive?

We have previously met Paxon & Ella in the two earlier books and both made an impression; Paxon always had an air of confidence about him that gave of a playboy vibe, Ella however, gave the impression of innocence and the only way she got any excitement was through her two best friends….but that is about to change because Ella is about to have an awakening herself. Now, I’m not one for love triangles but this was an exception to my rule because her boyfriend was the ultimate douche & so not worthy of her time so I was all about a change in that relationship status. I loved Ella and Paxon together, they smouldered, they had chemistry & Paxon was everything you could wish for in a paranormal love interest, he opens up Ella like a beautiful flower bud, making her blossom through his want, desire and love.

The storyline was great, I liked how the boyfriend featured heavily in the story because he was one of those people you can’t help but hate and we all know how despicable thwarted lovers can be. With books like this, you expect the Morgons to be the instigators of any fights/unrest but we are shown time and time again that humans are the real animals. The romance is a major part of the plot which is always fab, but then we also have Ella’s family and their prejudices, we are also  shown how society deals with those too…. Their relationship will be challenged but it’s others who must change their views. The story has a couple of twists to keep us on our toes, especially when blackmail is involved – so prepare yourself for some slimey characters that will need to be put in their place.
I’m quite sad that this will be the final book in this novella series because it was fabulous, I have greatly enjoyed them and not one book has disappointed – don’t believe me? Try them for yourselves! 

Thank you to Lyrical Press for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.