Blog Tour for Golden Dunes of Renhala (Renhala #2) by Amy Joy Lutchen

Posted by Melanie
Release Date: November 2013
Finished Date: December 14th,, 2013

Publishers: Self Published
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Source: For Review

Format: eARC

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US

How do you live with a secret so dark and so deeply woven into your being that it threatens to smother your very existence, with no known way out? Use it to your advantage.

Kailey Rooke, karmelean, and now a possibly unethical karma-for-hire, has spent the past year jumping from project to project without any real hope for salvation. With repercussions from her actions at every turn, she discovers that as time goes on, she loses a bit more of herself to that which feeds on her anguish--that which is thriving inside her own body.

When a new contract to find a missing girl arises, Kailey attempts to put her past and its associated problems on the back burner, but she soon finds out that treachery and deceit lie shortly ahead in Golden Dunes, only giving face to new problems, with one leading right back to her childhood past.

She struggles to complete her contract as her own life teeters on a fulcrum, constantly tipping according to karma’s whim. How long will she keep her balance? Which way will she fall?

The Review: **SPOILERS FOR BOOK ONE (if you haven’t read it, don’t read this!!)**

In the Golden Dunes of Renhala live a community lead by a woman covered in snakes and her name is Eve, she is a powerful woman who owns a successful plantation and has everything she wants even a son, daughter & mate….. but she no longer has her daughter, for she is missing and she will do whatever it takes to bring her back home, even employ the Karmelean – Kailey Rourke. Kailey has spent the last year putting her karma skills to good use, a little karma for hire didn’t do anyone any harm right? Well that may be a different story when you also host sudo-abominor that is steadily chipping away at her control, making her dangerous and unpredictable. When she takes on Eve’s case, Kailey may not be strong enough to come out the other side but when she gets her claws into a good case, she is determined to let karma have its day.

I really enjoyed this sequel to Renhala and I appreciated that most of the book was set there. It was very easy to reconnect with the characters again, especially Kailey who I enjoyed reading of her coming out of her shell in the first book, in this she has more struggles with herself but in a different way. After being exposed to sudo-abominor she struggles to remain balanced, unpredictably becoming angry & enraged as she wrestles for control of her own body & mind… it was good to see this side of her but you could also feel how the bad the situation was getting and how it deteriorated throughout the book and I thought it made Kailey a more dangerous threat to people and in my opinion that wasn’t such a bad thing, I like a character that can kick butt! I liked how she stayed close to the friends she made in book one, it would have been so easy for her to crawl back into herself but she stayed strong. I was surprised she had started a relationship with one of the characters, it was nice to see her have a touch of love after losing so much but I felt the chemistry more with her other suitor.

I really liked the direction the storyline went, I think the karma-for-hire idea was great because not only will it bring mystery & intrigue with each case they take but it also opens up a lot of possibilities for stories and the opportunity to explore even more of Renhala and its inhabitants. The case they took on was very mysterious, not just the case itself but also the inhabitants of Golden Dunes and I was interested in their way of life & liked how the crops & such were explained…obviously there is a lot more going on than what I can say but they brought an interesting addition to the story and even though Kailey & the gang had been invited, they also came across as territorial…or was it because they had something to hide? It wasn’t hard to know that everything isn’t as it seems & whilst I thought I had the big mystery all worked- I hadn’t – so it definitely kept me on my toes right up until the end. I liked how the series plot developed too, following the end of book one, we had five major facts 1) Kailey’s mother dies 2) Kailey’s Father apparently dies 3) Kailey’s best friend is now pregnant with her half sibling 4) Kailey has a brother 5)Kailey is now hosting sudo-abominor , all are mentioned in the book and at least two of these facts will impact this story in a big way and it’s sooo good, leading to some pretty intense moments but leaving me very excited for next book.

AUTHOR BIO
Was born in Chicago and slept in a dresser drawer for the first few weeks of my life, marking me as a future claustrophobe.

I studied at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana (man I grew up quick), where I became a number, but decided it was a good number.

I write with plenty of snacks in hand, making sure they are not in multiples of three. That number makes me nervous.

Author of the Renhala series.  

A Review for Soul Cutter by Lexa Cain

Posted by Melanie
Release Date: December 6th, 2013
Finished Date: December 10th, 2013

Publishers: Muse It Up Publishing
Genre: YA, Horror
Source: For Review

Format: Kindle

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US

The Soul Cutter is hunting again.

Seventeen-year-old Élan spends her free time videoing psychic scams and outing them online. Skepticism makes life safe—all the ghosts Élan encounters are fakes. When her estranged mother disappears from a film shoot in Egypt, Élan puts her medium-busting activities on hold and joins the search.

In Egypt, the superstitious film crew sucks at finding her mom. When a hotel guest is killed, whispers start—the locals think their legendary Soul Cutter has come back from the dead. Élan's only ally is Ramsey, a film-crew intern, but he’s arrogant, stubborn—and hiding dangerous secrets.

When Élan discovers the Soul Cutter is no scam, she finds herself locked in a deadly battle against a supernatural killer with more than her mother’s life at stake.

Élan is fighting for her very soul.

The Review: Soul Cutter was great read and I thoroughly enjoyed it… the synopsis is very accurate and I don’t feel I can add anything so straight onto my thoughts about the book. I’m a very character driven reader, if I gel with the character then half the battle is won and it was easy to gel with our main character Elan, I love what she does by exposing the psychic scams, her viewpoint of it and how she goes about doing it and was very surprised when we found out about her mother considering how much of a cynic she is, She is focussed & determined but we also see a vulnerability to her which unfolds throughout the book and it gives her character a softer, more emotional feel after what she had gone through. It was great when she met Ramsey, someone on the opposite side of her beliefs but someone that she connects to and the connection even felt supernatural. They complemented each-others character so well and I liked how he brought a bit of romance to her, how she let him in and trusted again but I also liked that she did the same for him…. both trusting each other with the most precious of secrets and I loved Ramsey’s tie in to the story because he isn’t just the love interest. The story was so good, the palace backdrop was a great setting, very atmospheric with a spooky, haunted house feel and you could actually ‘feel’ the eeriness in each situation our characters are in which is always a plus in my mind. I loved the ‘Soul Cutter’ legend & its origins that tie into the palace, like a modern ghost story but believable because of how recent it was and the fact that the locals believed it without doubt, so much so that they even put runes on their homes for protection, reinforcing the validity of their superstitions. I loved how as the story unfolded with Elan, that the history of the palace was also unfolding giving us a really spooky insight into the former residents and setting up a plot thread that runs alongside Elan’s. The main threat in the book was awesome and created some really intense moments, in fact he was like a Scooby doo baddie who always appeared at the most inopportune moments forcing Elan to stop what she was meant to be doing to go run and hide making my heart pound like crazy. Ramsey’s tie in (as I mentioned before) was really good and I liked what it brought to the story, I don’t want to say too much about it but it brings in even more troubles & more danger to an already volatile situation and also intrigue. I seriously have no criticism because this book is excellent from the opening scam exposing set up, right up to the epic ending that would look amazing visually and is filled with super scary situations in a horror movie style that will have your heart pounding right until the very end.

A Review for The Mating (Law of the Lycan #1) by Nicky Charles

Posted by Donna
Release Date: February 10th, 2010
Finished Date: January 5th, 2014

Publishers: Self Published
Genre: Adult, Paranormal 
Source: Free on Amazon

Format: Kindle

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US

She lay beside him, staring blankly at the ceiling. The deed was done. They were mated. It didn't matter that she had no love for him nor he for her. Political alliances were more important than feelings, or so she had been told. That fact was cold comfort right now as her heart broke within her.

Elise had no idea when she came home that day that she'd end up mated to a complete stranger.

A new Alpha and the need for an alliance between packs have made her a pawn.

The Review: Nicky Charles is a one in a million author because she gives away her books for free - permanently. I don't think I've ever come across any one doing that before but what makes this so remarkable is, The Mating is a gem of a book and once I started reading, I didn't want to put it down. 

Elise, a twenty-two-year-old girl has always dreamed of being mated to her best friend Bryan, but one day after coming home from a run, she finds out that she is being mated to an Alpha from a pack that her father is currently making a deal with. With Elise being mated to Kane, this means that both packs with have allegiances with outside packs, but for Elise, her dreams have been crushed. All she knows is she doesn't want to become a lone wolf by being banished, so she has no alternative choice but to mate with Kane. Soon Elise finds herself mated and living in a new home with complete strangers with 48 hours of meeting of Kane, but there's something about her new mate that drawing her in. But how can she have feelings for someone she's only just met?

Adult shifter stories are fast becoming my favourite, so while I was on a hunt for new books, I came across Nicky Charles' and I'm really glad I did. The Mating sounded right up my street, and even so more that it was free I snatched it up straight away and started within a few days. As you can see, I'm certainly not disappointed. I loved The Mating! It had everything I wanted and more. It has a cracking story line that is hot and intense, it has even action through out that leaves you guessing. Although I thought it was pretty easy to figure out who the bad guy was, it still didn't spoil the story for me - i still loved it.  It was Elise and Kane's romance that had you gripped to the edge of your seat, not knowing what the outcome would be.  I adored Kane! He's everything you could want in an Alpha male. Strong, supportive, dedicated and then there's the side Elise sees, the touching, lovable and smouldering hot! I loved how they both slowly started developed feelings for one another, it was great to read. If there's anything that I felt that could have made this story better, was adding Kane's point of view through out the whole story, rather than  just the one chapter, I would have liked more from him. But as you can see, I still loved the story....and I'm starting the sequel, The Keeping - which is Ryne's story now. 

A Review for Amulet of Elusion (The Lost Amulet Chronicles #1) by Katie Lynn Johnson

Posted by Melanie
Release Date: June 1st, 2013
Finished Date: December 15th, 2013

Publishers: Self Published
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasty, Adventure
Source: For Review

Format: Kindle
Pages: 376

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US

Alexa Costa has a life-altering secret…only she doesn’t know it yet.
Confined by law to the kingdom of Alvair until the age of eighteen, Alexa has lived a sheltered existence under the watchful eye of her sword-wielding guardian, Ivy. Her love interest, Caleb Whitman, is exactly the opposite. A merchant sailor and seeker of rare artifacts, Caleb has lived a life of adventure in nearby San Lucero, the long-time rival of Alvair.

After her eighteenth birthday, Alexa’s quiet existence becomes tumultuous, and she realizes she does not need to seek to find adventure. Myths become real, legend becomes fact, and Alexa discovers that she possesses rare abilities which make her a target for both sides in a centuries-old struggle for power. She must use every resource available to her—including her talents with the supernatural Amulets— to help her friends, rekindle her romance with Caleb, and save her island home from destruction.

The Review: Amulet of Elusian was decent read, I enjoyed the story & characters but I did struggle with the content and pacing for the first 50% of the book but saying that…. The last 50% was great and had some good potential.

As the synopsis tells us, Alexa Costa is turning 18 and the law keeping her in the kingdom of Alvair will no longer apply to her and she can come and go as she pleases… exciting stuff for Alexa but not for her guardian Ivy who raised her following the deaths of her parents and sister eleven years ago in a fire, hopefully she has trained Alexa well for what will await her in adulthood but she never prepared her to protect her heart and when Alexa falls for Caleb Whitman, merchant sailor – Ivy is not happy…. If only that was all that would befall Alexa, for she is about to have her world turned upside down… some truths are about to be told, things thought myth become fact, secrets come to light and a prophecy is about to unfold with Alexa standing right in the epicentre.

So, I mentioned that I liked the characters… Alexa is a very sweet girl just about to blossom into womanhood and find her first love. She has an innocence about her that is endearing but also a stubborn determination about her that will help her throughout the book. I thought her relationship with Caleb was lovely, they fit well together and I thought it progressed beautifully, giving her some rays of happiness in her constantly changing world, he becomes her rock and together they become a couple you can really route for.

The storyline was good, I liked the whole history of the island and how it became broken into two kingdoms, I like the amulets and their history, what they can do, who can unearth them, how to unlock their magic, what is given to the wearer, how people want to use the amulets for themselves which becomes the issue of the book…it all is good and interesting, then when you add to that a prophecy…well that grabs my attention again, even down to the different continents, people, pirates, scholars even secret books…. so all of the elements are there for a great fantasy – but….

I did struggle for the first 50% of the book and I suppose the content and pacing were to blame, it was slow, the pacing was slow, there wasn’t enough reveals to keep me interested –yes we did get some hints and clues but nothing of major value – and I had to make myself read on, which isn’t a good sign…. But….. I hit the 50% mark and BAM!!! action, reveals, battles, chases, secrets, near death experiences, magic, treachery… you name it, it was there and I really liked it! It totally changed the book and showed some great series potential, I only wish that the first half of the book had been the same, so as I said, it was a decent read and based on the first 50% I would have given this 2 stars but the latter 50% would have gotten 4 stars so I’ll split the difference and give it 3 stars.

Waiting on Wednesday (#58)

 

"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

Ball & Chain (Cut & Run #8)

by Abigail Roux

Release date: March 17th, 2014

 Home from their unexpected deployment, the former members of Marine Force Recon team Sidewinder rejoin their loved ones and try to pick up the pieces of the lives they were forced to leave behind. Ty Grady comes home to Zane Garrett, only to find that everything around him has changed—even the men he went to war with. He barely has time to adjust before his brother, Deuce, asks Ty to be his best man. But that isn’t all Deuce asks Ty to do, and Ty must call for backup to deal with the business issues of Deuce’s future father-in-law.

Nick O’Flaherty and Kelly Abbott join Ty and Zane at the wedding on an island in Scotland, thinking they’re there to assuage Deuce’s paranoia. But when bodies start dropping and boats start sinking, the four men get more involved with the festivities than they’d ever planned to.

With the clock ticking and the killer just as stuck on the isolated island as they are, Ty and Zane must navigate a veritable minefield of family, friends, and foes to stop the whole island from being destroyed.

Jess's thoughts:  Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! I have been waiting for this book for soooo long. So long. Finally in the correct release year to get super excited. I adore this M/M series, and I can't wait for more Zane and Ty!

Donna's WoW

Silver Shadows (Bloodlines #5)
by Richelle Mead
Release Date: July 29th, 2014

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

In The Fiery Heart, Sydney risked everything to follow her gut, walking a dangerous line to keep her feelings hidden from the Alchemists.

Now in the aftermath of an event that ripped their world apart, Sydney and Adrian struggle to pick up the pieces and find their way back to each other. But first, they have to survive.

For Sydney, trapped and surrounded by adversaries, life becomes a daily struggle to hold on to her identity and the memories of those she loves. Meanwhile, Adrian clings to hope in the face of those who tell him Sydney is a lost cause, but the battle proves daunting as old demons and new temptations begin to seize hold of him. . . .

Their worst fears now a chilling reality, Sydney and Adrian face their darkest hour in this heart-pounding fifth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where all bets are off.

Donna's thoughts: Is it July yet? I need this book! I need more Adrian! I need more Sydney! That ending too left me stunned....it's simple, I need this book!

<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 The Loneliest Alpha (The MacKellen Alphas #1) by T.A Grey

Posted by Donna
Release Date: June 13th, 2013
Finished Date: January 1st, 2014

Publishers: T.A Grey
Genre: Adult, Paranormal
Source: Bought

Format: Kindle

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

One look will change their lives forever.

Lingerie designer Alicia Clarkson just had to open her stupid mouth. Now thanks to trying to defend a fellow pack mate, Alicia’s been blindfolded, tied up, and carted off to the new alpha of the Oregon pack—Gavin MacKellen.

However, the blindfold doesn’t come off so soon as Gavin reveals he’s searching for a mate. But Alicia’s curiosity gets fired up when Gavin refuses to reveal his face to her. Just what happened to him? He talks to her from shadowy corners and behind closed doors. The man is as allusive as a squirrely fox. But Alicia doesn’t play games and the quiet spoken, hoarse voiced alpha doesn’t stand a chance against her. They settle on an agreement, thirty days for them to get to know each other because that’s the only way this cowboy alpha will have it.

Gavin MacKellen needs a mate. But he knows no good woman would ever want to look at his face after the incident he suffered. After one look at Alicia Clarkson all his plans fly out the window. The woman’s beauty has stunned him damn near speechless. She torments his thoughts and Gavin finds himself yearning to know everything about her. He admires her creativity and intelligence, the cool way she handles herself in stressful situations. Most of all, he aches deep in his chest to taste her lips. Those beautiful sweet lips, but in order to kiss her without showing her what a monster he was, he has to get creative.

A relationship forms and as love threatens to grow between them Gavin struggles to cope with his physical appearance in the face of the beautiful Alicia. Will she be the one to stand in the face of a monster and accept or will she turn her back on him as everyone else has?

The Review: 4.5 flowers!

T.A Grey delivers a Beauty and the Beast retelling with The Loneliest Alpha, where we see lingerie designer Alicia Clarkson being taken to the new Oregon pack's new alpha Gavin MacKellen. It is there that she finds out Gavin is looking for a mate but can not go about dating the normal way because his face is badly damaged. Alicia's first plan is to escape but for some reason she's drawn to Gavin, but how can she when she's never seen what he looks like?

T.A Grey is a new author to me, so once I started The Loneliest Alpha, I found out that The MacKellen Alphas series is actually a spin off to the The Kategan Alphas. I was kind of bummed about that because I like to read a series in order, but it was too late, I was already hooked.

The Loneliest Alpha has been on high on my wishlist for a while, so I decided to take the chance and finally purchase it to read over the Christmas break from work...and I'm so glad I did. From the first chapter I was immediately draw into the plot of the story. Beauty and the Beast has always been my favourite fairytale story, so I was eager to see what T.A Grey would do with. If anything she didn't play too much into the story, it was just a small portion of the plot that was used but it worked well. Not only that but the story was exciting, full of suspense and very intense. Gavin's situation is on that tugged on your heart and wanted him to find the mate he had always craved but never had the nerve to go find her. He's definitely a great Alpha male - even with all his insecurities, but who could blame the guy. And Alicia's situation wasn't as serious as Gavin's but after meeting Gavin, I think she realised that she'd found something she'd never really been looking for. It isn't until it's in her face does she realise how lucky she is to find someone like Gavin. I really liked Alicia. I thought she had everything an Alpha female needs to help run a pack. She's strong, determined and very dedicated in everything she does, and very passionate. Some of the moments between both characters are very entertaining and at times, frustrating - but in a good way. ;) The only thing I wished for was more about the Lykaens' shifting. There wasn't much in this story but maybe if I read The Kategan Alphas series, I'll understand it better.

In all, reading The Loneliest Alpha was a great start to my 2014 reading challenge because T.A Grey delivers a great read.

First Look Blog Tour for A Breath of Frost (The Lovegrove Legacy #1) by Alyxandra Harvey

A Breath of Frost (The Lovegrove Legacy #1)
by Alyxandra Harvey
Release Date: December 17th, 2013

Publishers: Simon Pulse
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary 

Buy:  Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Amazon UK

In 1814, three cousins-Gretchen, Emma, and Penelope-discover their unknown family lineage of witchcraft. Beyond the familiar manicured gardens and ballrooms of Regency London, a dangerous, alluring new underworld visible only to those with power is now open to the cousins.
But unbeknownst to them, by claiming their power, the three cousins have inadvertently opened the gates to the Underworld.
Now the dead, ghouls, hellhounds-and the most terrifying of all: the spirits of dark witches known as the Greymalkin Sisters-are hunting and killing young debutante witches for their powers.
And, somehow, Emma is connected to the murders...because she keeps finding the bodies.
Can the cousins unravel the clues and mystery behind their heritage and power before their gifts are stripped away ...or even worse, another witch is killed?

A Breath of Frost by Alyxandra Harvey

Alyxandra Harvey, popular young adult author of the Drake Chronicles, Haunting Violet, and Stolen Away, is back with a bewitching new young adult fantasy series that will take readers through the streets of magical 19th century London. A BREATH OF FROST, the first installment in The Lovegrove Legacy (published by Bloomsbury Childrens) goes on sale January 7, 2014. It’s full of witches, magic, family secrets, goblin markets, deer-people, and boys in cravats!

Welcome to The Rowanstone Academy of Magical Arts for Young Ladies

Polish both your curtsy and your curse-breaking! Mix potions for good luck and clear skin! Learn to defeat warlocks, demons, and bad manners!

To regular London society we are a finishing school teaching the young aristocratic ladies of the Beau Monde the necessary social graces. To the fine Witching families of magical London, we are so much more.

When you pass through the bewitched gates, you are on safe and hallowed ground. The finest collection of gargoyles crown our rooftop, protecting the girls and professors inside.

The ballroom has been converted into training space where students learn how to wield magic and countermand curses. In the many fine parlours, the rules of the witching society and the history of our people are taught. Classes in Divination, Healing, Protection spells, Familiars, and Love Magic are also offered.

We boast the finest magical library outside of the Ironstone Boy’s School. Our apothecary is fully stocked with flowers, herbs, crystals, salts, ashes from sacred trees, and basilisk teeth for all of your spellcasting needs.

School trips to the Goblin Market, The Magical Zoological Exhibition, and the Poison Gardens can be arranged.

Students are required to wear evil eye beadswhile on school premises to protect them from uncontrolled magic.

Please mind the White Lady who haunts the stairwell outside the conservatory. Her spirit-dog bites. Keep all cat-familiars clears of the area.

Give us your daughters and we will give your witches trained to make your lineage proud!

Enjoy this exclusive excerpt that introduces the cousins:

 

“Doesn’t this seem rather odd?” Emma asked, frowning. Earthquake, fire, Cormac. Something wasn’t right. She worried at it like a loose tooth.

Gretchen snorted. “I’m holding a pink dog. Odd doesn’t quite cover it.”

“Daphne just fainted,” Penelope pointed out, crossing her arms so her dress wouldn’t cling to her figure. Her grandmother would never forgive her the impropriety. Her parents wouldn’t care, they rarely came out into society. The other fashionable girls in their thin white gowns were soaked through, corsets ribbons and legs outlined in great scandalous detail. A young lord tripped over his own foot when he turned and saw through Emma’s wet dress. Penelope shifted to cover her, glowering at him so fiercely he hid behind a tree.

Gretchen tilted her head as chaos continued to boil around them. “Daphne is playacting,” she said dismissively. “And not very well, I might add. Who faints in such a comfortable position? Not to mention she ought to have toppled right into those rosebushes if gravity was at all involved.” She sighed. “And that footman is barely strong enough to hold that kind of bucket. He’s doing it all wrong.” She thrust the wet dog at Penelope. “Here, take the teacake, would you?” She dashed away toward the struggling footman. “Lift with your knees, not your back, muttonhead!”

Emma watched her go, resigned. Gretchen would now classify this as the best ball they’d ever attended since she’d avoided the actual social gathering in favor of hauling buckets of water and battling a fire. In the rain, no less. Gretchen loved the rain. Emma was rather less enamoured of it. She pushed her soggy hair out of her face where it clung uncomfortably to her forehead. At least it would help stop the fire from spreading. Already it seemed less virulent, its burning jagged teeth easing from bite to nibble.

“I suppose we ought to help,” Penelope said dubiously. She spotted Mr. Cohen cowering under the cover of an elm tree. “That tears it,” she muttered. “Let’s, shall we?”

Emma followed her gaze. “I thought you liked him.”

Penelope glanced away, her cheeks red as berries. “Not anymore.”

She scowled. “What did he do?”

“Nothing. It’s not important.”

“Penelope. I’m wet and cold and perfectly willing to shove him into the shrubbery.”

“He called me fat.”

Emma hissed out a breath. “I beg your pardon.”

“It’s nothing, really.” She forced her voice not to wobble.  “He embarrassed me, is all.”

“Think how embarrassed he’ll be when I wrap his smalls around his fat head.”

Penelope, feeling decidedly more cheerful, had to drag Emma toward the burning house, where they stood uncertainly at the edge of a line of shouting men. Someone broke the window from inside the ballroom, glass cracking into the hollyhocks.  Smoldering drapes followed, coiling like a smoke-breathing serpent.

“Why does Emma look like she’s swallowed a bee?” Gretchen asked when her cousins pushed their way toward her.

“Mr. Cohen called Penelope fat and crazy,” Emma replied.

Gretchen’s smiled died. “Did he, now?”

Penelope now felt perfectly vindicated and couldn’t quite recall why she’d let Mr. Cohen hurt her feelings in the first place. “It’s nothing.”

“I hope he wakes up swollen like a balloon,” Gretchen muttered.

While her cousins stewed and plotted painful vengeance involving Mr. Cohen swelling to such proportions that all the buttons popped off his evening wear and he ended up naked in the ballroom, Penelope couldn’t help but admire the parade of half-dressed men under a flash of lightning. “Well, now,” she grinned appreciatively, wounded pride utterly erased. “There should be more fires, don’t you think?”

“What?” The sight of Cormac in his shirtsleeves, the wet fabric clinging to his muscles was particularly distracting. Emma felt compelled to stare, as if under some sort of spell. She blinked rain out of her eyelashes when Cormac went blurry. She had to remind herself that she’d sworn to hate him. She turned her attention back to the buckets sloshing from hand to hand, until her fingers cramped. Smoke stung her eyes and seared her throat.

“And I had no idea Tobias was so well-muscled, did you?” When the rain faded to a patter in the leaves, Penelope pouted. “Drat. What a shame. If we’re not all going to die horribly in flames, I’d rather like to see more shirtsleeves.”

 

Want to learn more about A BREATH OF FROST? Be sure to check out this "First Look" interview with Alyxandra Harvey!  

Follow the "first look" tour and win enchanting prizes!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 About the author:
Alyxandra Harvey lives in a stone Victorian house in Ontario, Canada with a few resident ghosts who are allowed to stay as long as they keep company manners. She loves medieval dresses, used to be able to recite all of The Lady of Shalott by Tennyson, and has been accused, more than once, of being born in the wrong century. She believes this to be mostly true except for the fact that she really likes running water, women’s rights, and ice cream.
Among her favourite books are ‘The Wood Wife’ by Terri Windling, ‘Jane Eyre’ by Charlotte Bronte, and of course, ‘Pride and Prejudice’ by Jane Austen. Elizabeth Bennet is her hero because she’s smart and sassy, and Mr. Darcy is, well, yum.
Aside from the ghosts, she also lives with husband and their dogs. She likes cinnamon lattes, tattoos and books.

Connect with Alyx at her Website | Twitter | Tumblr |Facebook | Pinterest

A Review for Misbehaving (Sea Breeze #6) by Abbi Glines

Posted by Donna
Release Date: December 17th, 2013
Finished Date: December 24th, 2013

Publishers: Simon Pulse
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary
Source: Bought

Format: Kindle

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

An unexpected affair leads to mind-blowing harmony in this Sea Breeze novel from New York Times bestselling author Abbi Glines.

Jason is sick of living in his rock star brother’s shadow. So when he ships off to Sea Breeze, Alabama, he’s looking for a much deserved escape and a chance to blow off some envious steam.

Falling for the local bad girl was definitely not the plan.

But as the new duo enjoys some naughty fun in the Alabama sun, Jason learns that even though Jax is the musician in the family, he’s not the only brother who can rock someone’s world.

The Review: It's official! Abbi Glines NEEDS to write more bad girl stories like Misbehaving, because while I adore all her the other books, it was only time before I starting wanting more from the female leads in her stories and I have to say, that time had come. As much as I love the innocent virgin story, I did feel it was starting to get 'over done', so reading Misbehaving was a very refreshing and exciting read, because you just didn't know where the story was going to go.

Who would have thought little Jason Stone was hiding that hot alpha ego behind a clean-cut prep school boy look? Certainly not me, but he sure wasn't disappointing. If anything he surprised me. Tired of living in the shadow of his brother and tired of being forced into situations by his parents, Jason decides it's time to put his life in his own hands and live the summer in Sea Breeze, having fun and figuring out what he'd like to do. It's there that he meets Jess, the local bad girl things start looking up for Jason, because even though he knows she's the wrong type of girl for him, he can't keep away from her.

Like I said, Jason really surprised me. He was certainly not what I was expecting because he's always come across so sweet and....soft. Especially when he was dating Amanda, but in Misbehaving we see the real Jason. He's passionate, hot and even still sweet but more importantly, he's 100% an alpha when it comes to Jess (I know you guys will love that, I did, lol). These two together were steaming hot! Even though they had their issues to overcome, there's was like this cord that kept pulling the two of them together. No matter how much they fought it, they never won. Their connection was deep and while their families and friends might not have understood it, they sure did. Jess and Jason looked past everyone else opinions about themselves and each other, and figured out their own.

As much as I loved Jess and Jason, there are a few other characters that made me fall in love with this story and that was Jess's Mum and Krit. Two characters that this story needed and made me want more of them, especially Krit! Come on Abbi, write Krit's story!!! Please!

My only real complaint on the book is it just wasn't long enough and Jason's story felt a little unfinished. Jess's is tied up really good, but Jason's is still unsure. Like what happened with his mother and what did he plan on doing after College? We never really got the answers for them...and I'd like them. Otherwise, as normal, Abbi Glines does another fantastic job on another one of her books and she's definitely becoming my go-to author.

A Review for Ruled by Steel (Ascension #3) by S.M.Reine

Posted by Melanie
Release Date:  October 25th, 2013
Finished Date: December 1st, 2013

Publishers: Self Published
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Romance
Source: For Review

Format: eARC
Pages: 391

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US

Only a demon can save the souls trapped in Hell.
Elise Kavanagh failed to prevent the Breaking, and now Hell is spilling onto Earth. Now she's delved deep into the City of Dis in an attempt to stop the infernal armies--but even the legendary Godslayer is unprepared to face Dis's fiercest demons, not to mention the responsibility of liberating the humans they've enslaved.
On Earth, rogue angel Nash Adamson is wing-deep in damage control after the Breaking, and his fellow angels don't want to get involved. War is approaching the werewolf sanctuary. If Heaven won't help them, he'll have to turn to Hell for salvation.
Everything hinges on who can control the Palace of Dis. Elise and her allies have no choice but to rule by steel...

The Review: Ruled by Steel is yet another amazing instalment in the Ascension series…. As the synopsis states, Elise failed to stop the ‘Breaking’ and now Hell is bleeding onto Earth so that now there’s only one option for Elise, she must go to Dis/Hell and take control in an attempt to stop the threat to Earth… whilst on Earth, Nash tries to fight of the demons, get everyone to safety , protect the werewolf sanctuary and rally the angels to help save the humans. Will his pleas fall on deaf ears when his brethren view him as a traitor? Everything hangs on Elise and what she plans to do in Hell. It was great to see Elise back in action, she is still struggling with her need to feed which also links to her evolving emotionally too, she seems to be struggling with her empathy and blaming it on Eves influence – but is it? She’s uncomfortable with being responsible for others, she’s unsure about caring for people, feeling that by doing so will put them in danger and she is still freaked out by peoples declarations of friendship, scared when they get too close, get hurt or worse betray her like James…. But she is letting people in which is a big step and I love the connection she feels towards the pack members, Rylie in particular & also Neuma. I wasn’t sure about the feeding discovery, it seemed a bit weird to me and I like it when she devours demons, it gives her a sort of invincibility in my eyes… but I’m happy to go along with it. I loved the developments between Elise & James, she seems to soften towards him a lot in this and I love how they communicate through their bond. I still have hope but feel it’s a long way off. Our setting changes this time as Elise takes on hell in a big way! I always say this for these books; they would look stunning visually. I loved the setting, the descriptions of Dis, the ‘House of Abraxus’, the palace, the bridge…. Begs to be seen and gave most of the book a different feel, more fantasy, more desperate as the setting opens up to more horror and introduces us to the demon lords of Dis, depraved, power hungry monsters who have the most despicable plans in place for the humans and use those they have in the worst ways. I wanted to know more about these lords, their hierarchy, who each one is and what they do… I loved what we got but there’s always room for more. I liked that we got a viewpoint from more than one place of interest – Earth with Nash, Dis with Elise & some curious places with James – I really enjoyed all of their point of views and they each add something that connects everything so easily. The pack did take a backseat in this as they mourn the loss of a loved one but they still make a big impact and I really love the way they embrace Elise as one of their own. I loved the developments within the story and whilst there is a lot of action, a lot of killing & battle… there are also some twists and turns along the way with some surprising consequences which makes me very excited for the next instalment…. This one was epic so bring on book 4 – Caged in Bone… even the title makes me curious for more. 

A Review for Out of the Ashes (The Ashes Series #1) Diana Gardin

Posted by Jess
Release Date: December 12th, 2013
Finished Date: December 19th, 2013

Publishers: Self Published
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary
Source: For Review

Format: eARC

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US

Out of the frying pan and into the fire…

Paige Hill is discovering who she is again after losing everything she loves in a tragic fire. She’s endured a long road to recovery with the help of her best fiend Gillian and is finally beginning her life again: college, a job, and a blossoming love she never even saw coming.

Clay Forbes is the notorious campus playboy. He’s a star athlete, a senior architecture major, and the only son in a family with power and money back in his hometown. When he crashes into Paige, his whole perspective on life shifts, and his world as he knew it becomes nonexistent. He’s wrapped up in her.

They’re both learning how to love, but Clay’s ex-girlfriend Hannah won’t make it easy for them. She puts a target on Paige’s back, and won’t stop until she’s derailed their budding romance once and for all. Who will be left standing after the ashes settle for the second time?

The Review: Overall it wasn't bad. I liked the story and the writing was fine. I just found it a little predictable. I didn't much care for any of the characters, generally they aren't bad, I just felt that Paige seemed younger than 20, and I just thought that she maybe could have been a little stronger. Clay for a player was far too 'clean cut'. I don't like my book men to be clean cut, I like them to have an edge and Clay didn't really have one. 

As a story it works fine and Diana Gardin can write a good story. The ending although predictable was good and it has made me want to continue with the story. 

The book is classed as New Adult, it didn't have that feel for me, it all seemed a little more high school than college. Just a note for the author to maybe make it a little more adult to appeal to the wider readers. Don't be shy Diana! 

I do believe this is the authors 1st or 2nd piece of writing, so I believe there is room for improvement in the next book. Although I didn't think it was awesome, it was just ok for me. The 3 stars mostly for the ending having redeemed slightly. I will read the rest in the series, but I won't rush for them.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Waiting on Wednesday (#67)

 

"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

Searching for Beautiful

by Nyrae Dawn

Release date: March 14th, 2014

 Before, Brynn had a group of best friends, a loving boyfriend, a growing talent for pottery. She had a life. And after…she had none.

When Brynn lost the boyfriend who never loved her, the friends who feel she betrayed their trust, and the new life just beginning to grow inside her, she believes her future is as empty as her body. But then Christian, the boy next door, starts coming around. Playing his guitar and pushing her to create art once more. She meets some new friends at the local community center, plus even gets her dad to look her in the eye again…sort of.

But can Brynn open up her heart to truly find her life’s own beauty, when living for the after means letting go of the before?

This is a Young Adult title.
Jess's thoughts:  I've only read one book from this author and I really enjoyed it. I look forward to reading this one. The cover is just beautiful as well. 

Donna's WoW

What I Thought was True
by Huntley Fitzpatrick
Release Date: April 15th, 2014

From the author of My Life Next Door comes a swoony summertime romance full of expectation and regret, humor and hard questions.
Gwen Castle's Biggest Mistake Ever, Cassidy Somers, is slumming it as a yard boy on her Nantucket-esque island this summer. He's a rich kid from across the bridge in Stony Bay, and she hails from a family of fishermen and housecleaners who keep the island's summer people happy. Gwen worries a life of cleaning houses will be her fate too, but just when it looks like she'll never escape her past—or the island—Gwen's dad gives her some shocking advice. Sparks fly and secret histories unspool as Gwen spends a gorgeous, restless summer struggling to resolve what she thought was true—about the place she lives, the people she loves, and even herself—with what really is.

A magnetic, push-me-pull-me romance with depth, this is for fans of Sarah Dessen, Jenny Han, and Deb Caletti.

Donna's thoughts: I'm yet to read Huntley Fitzpatrick's other book, My Life Next Door but I'm still excited to pick up this soon to be released story. I've heard so many great things about her work, I can't wait until I find the time to read them!

<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!