{Review} City In Embers (Collector #1) by Stacey Marie Brown

Posted by Melanie
Release Date: February 4th, 2015
Finished Date: February 2nd, 2015

Publishers: Twisted Fairy Publishing
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Source: For Review
Format: eARC

Pages: Unknown

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US

Zoey Daniels has been tossed from foster home to foster home, where she grows up fast and tough. When she is placed in her “last-chance” home, she finds a reason to stay and turn her life around: her foster sister, Lexie, who is paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair. Zoey will do anything to keep her safe. After high school, Zoey is hired by a special government agency, the Department of Molecular Genetics (DMG), where she meets the other reason to remain: Daniel, her co-worker. The man she loves.

But there is something unique about Zoey. She can see fae. Because of this, the DMG hires her to work as a Collector: catching, researching, testing, and using the fae to save human lives. The work never registers on her sympathy radar. She was raised to think of fae as beasts that feed on humans and want to destroy them.

When devastation hits Seattle, Zoey's whole world is turned upside down. The electric storm connects her to a ruthless fae, a Wanderer named Ryker, whose dealings expose them to even more trouble and danger. They embark on a journey, running and hiding from both the government and fae, both of which threaten their lives and those they love.

The review: Stacey Marie Brown wowed me with her Darkness series so I was thrilled to see that she has started a new series and she really comes through with this one too.
City in Embers is set in the same world as the Darkness series so we are already aware of what kind of people/species that we will meet and the tensions that start to happen between humans, Fae and such. What we didn’t know was that some humans already knew of the Fae’s existence – the government in fact – and has a special government agency which captures Fae and uses them for experiments that will better humankind and hopefully create cures for all that ails them. In order to catch them, they first have to see them and that is where our heroine – Zoey Daniels – comes into play, she has the sight, she can recognise Fae from their aura and along with her partner – Daniel – they make an awesome team who always get their mark. Zoey’s homelife isn’t great and the only things that keep her where she is, is Daniel – who she secretly loves – and her foster sister Lexie who is paralysed and in a wheelchair and the driving force of her taking the job with the agency because if there’s a cure to be found for Lexie, then she’s in the best place to make sure she gets it.
Whilst Zoey and Daniel are out on the hunt for a Fae, they uncover something big happening but also find themselves outnumbered and needing to fight for their lives…… but then the storm hits and the lightning strikes and Zoey’s world is turned upside down so that not only is she dealing with devastating loss, she ends up running for her life…. With one hot Fae wanderer known as Ryker on her tail because she has something of his…. And he wants it back!
Zoey was a cool character, very tough and a ‘what you see, is what you get’ kind of girl. She is not a soft woman who needs love or a man to make her complete, she is more than capable of looking after herself but her love for her foster sister and partner add a softness to her that shows us a vulnerable side so that the reader can connect to her. She’s had it bad but will be a better person for those she considers family, she is selfless and will risk it all regardless of consequence. The way she sees Fae is put to the test with the arrival of Ryker, she has something of his that he wants and will stalk her until he gets it, Zoey is forced to run from everything she knows and ends up having to team up with the enemy making them an unlikely pairing – both can’t stand each other and they aren’t afraid to let that show but over the course of the book will start to understand and soften their views about each other.
As I mentioned earlier, I was thrilled to find out about this series because I adored the Darkness series and know what the author can do. I was even more excited when I saw that we were in a different part of the world we had already heard about in the other series and that they were connected by the massive storm which gives us some common ground and a sense of familiarity to the story. This also gave us a view into the aftermath of the storm and how it affected peoples’ lives giving the story a dystopian feel. I liked the fact that it shows us how others know about the Fae, I had no idea that the government knew and even had their own agency to ‘deal’ with them which will automatically make a ‘them against us’ scenario for humans and Fae. I also liked that the story challenges the characters view and beliefs, in stories such as these, there a never clear cut good guys and bad guys – it’s a matter of perspective and knowledge and that is what Zoey must find out. She is predisposed to think that all Fae are evil just as Ryker is against humans but what happens when neither can count on their ‘side’? The lines become blurred and it’s a matter of survival until all of the dots can be connected. The story is very much a run and chase scenario, many enemies are hunting for Zoey and Ryker which has them in a LOT of life threatening situations that really amps up the excitement and tension in the book and the action and fight scenes are awesome too. Zoey and Ryker need to count on each other and those type of situations form strong bonds and through this we also see them softening towards each other but there wasn’t much in the way of romance….. but knowing Stacey… there will be a lot of tension before we get to see any sexytime. This is a fab read though and if you loved the Darkness series, you will love this too. 

4.5 flowers! 

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

{Feature} Waiting on Wednesday (#104)

 

"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

P.S. I Still Love You (To All the Boys I've Loved Before #2)
by Jenny Han
Release Date: May 26th, 2015

Lara Jean didn’t expect to really fall for Peter.

She and Peter were just pretending. Except suddenly they weren’t. Now Lara Jean is more confused than ever.

When another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean’s feelings for him return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?


In this charming and heartfelt sequel to the New York Times bestseller To All the Boys I've Loved Before, we see first love through the eyes of the unforgettable Lara Jean. Love is never easy, but maybe that’s part of makes it so amazing.

Donna's thoughts: I'm dying for this book! I need it. I can't wait for it. I need more LJ and I need more Peter! Eep! Love the cover! 

Melanie's WoW

Of Shadow and Stone
by Michelle Muto 
Release Date: February 25th 2015

Gargoyles were created centuries ago to protect mankind, but something went horribly wrong. Now only the sentinel—a mortal chosen to control the stone beasts—stands between them and their human prey.

When the latest sentinel is killed, Kate Mercer is destined to take his place. But Kate has enough going on in her life—like a skyrocketing film career, a delusional ex-boyfriend, and a crazed stalker who will stop at nothing to get to her. But the powers that be have decided, and Kate is transported to Shadow Wood, a mysterious castle that serves as a sanctuary for the supernatural. Although beautiful, Shadow Wood is no safe place for a mere mortal. Yet Kate is drawn not only to the gargoyles but also to Ian McGuire, a charming novelist who might be in the greatest danger of all.

As Kate decides whether to accept the most perilous role of her life, she discovers there are more secrets than answers within the castle’s walls. Her survival and Ian’s depend on her ability to master the gargoyles before time runs out. Is fate really cast in stone?

Melanie's thoughts: I actually have this one to review but it sounds great and I'm really looking forward to it - don't forget to watch out for the review ;)

<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!

{Book Blitz} Exaltation by Jamie Magee

Exaltation by Jamie Magee 
Publication date: February 10th 2015 
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult

Buy: Amazon UK /  Amazon US

Fate is a twisted b*$#@, at least his was.

Was one soul worth the lives of millions? The quandary was one that Rydell King had no choice but to face. 

No matter the answer, the truth remained—innocence was created to destroy him. She was beautiful…extinguishing her to save his people seemed impossible, and maybe it was. As an immortal, his focus was to destroy the curse upon his people, as he devoured the emotion that bore him—exaltation, no matter the cost. 

She made him question everything.

Mercy had never been crueler.

AUTHOR BIO
Jamie Magee has always believed that each of us have a defining gift that sets us apart from the rest of the world, she has always envied those who have known from their first breath what their gift was. Not knowing hers, she began a career in the fast paced world of business. Raising a young family, and competing to rise higher in that field would drive some to the point of insanity, but she always found a moment of escape in a passing daydream. Her imagination would take her to places she’d never been, introduce her to people she’s never known. Insight, her debuting novel, is a result of that powerful imagination. Today, she is grateful that not knowing what defined her, led her on a path of discovery that would always be a part of her.

Author links:
http://www.authorjamiemagee.com/zvz6r0j8anuybkeb063d7c4whr6fot
https://www.facebook.com/Jamie.Magee.Author?fref=ts
https://twitter.com/TheJamieMagee
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4200019.Jamie_Magee

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{Blog Tour} Secrets, Schemes and Sewing Machines (Love, Lies and Lemon Pies #2) by Katy Cannon

Posted by Donna
Release Date: February 2nd, 2015
Finished Date: January 2nd, 2015

Publishers: Stripes Publishing
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance
Source: For Review
Format: eBook

Pages: 368

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

Grace: This was supposed to be Grace’s starring year, until she opened the door to a family secret that changed everything. Now she’s stuck making costumes in Sewing Club and watching someone else play the lead role – unless she can find a way to win it back.

Connor: Far from home and exiled to a new school, all Connor wants is to keep a low profile and get through the year. But agreeing to help his step-dad out with the school play means he’s soon caught up in Grace’s schemes.

Grace had a plan for this year – and it didn’t involve learning to sew. But being out of the spotlight isn’t the disaster she imagined, even if Connor is convinced she’s still a diva extraordinaire. Can Grace prove she’s really changed and save the play from the sidelines, even though her family is coming apart at the seams?

The Review: Secrets, Schemes and Sewing Machines is a cute and fun read with a sweet romance that all readers will root for. 

This year Grace was supposed to be given the lead in the school’s new play, Much Ado about Nothing but when a family issue leaves her missing the auditions, Grace is stuck running the costume department for the play instead. Determined to get her role back, Grace knows it’s only a matter of time before the play director realises she’s the best person for the job, so in the meantime, Grace focuses on making the costumes. But what Grace didn’t count on is how much she enjoys making them and more so, it gives her time to spend with the new guy and stage manager Connor. But Grace and Connor didn’t have the best start and now it appears Connor hates her. With her family issues, the play and now Connor, this year just went from bad to worse. Can Grace turn her year around and show people she’s serious about making the play a success? 

Going into this book, I certainly had high hopes because of how much I loved Katy Cannon’s Love, Lies and Lemon Pies and I just couldn’t wait to see what she would come up with next and revisit some of my favourite characters. Secrets, Schemes and Sewing Machines is great follow up and although it could be read as a standalone, I’d recommend you read Love, Lies and Lemon Pies first because you can familiarise yourself with the characters. Not only that it has that added extra touch of some sewing patterns at the start of each chapter. I didn't quite connect to the sewing aspect as much as I would have liked - not as much as baking - but it was still interesting to read. 

For me, Grace’s continued growth as a character just shows how much of a great character she is and that’s something you don’t want to miss. She’s come a long way since Love, Lies and Lemon Pies and she’s really turned herself around. No longer is it all about her. She’s happy helping others and going about things the right way. Yes, she’s still very determined to reach the goals she wants but she soon realises that there is always good things from anything you do. And Connor was an interesting character as the love interest. You can see there is something between Grace and him from the moment they met but, it’s all tangled up with their own personal issues that it takes a while for either to realise they like the other. I liked Connor. I couldn’t always agree with his reasoning’s for some things but like Grace, he’s learning new things every day. 

The plot of the story was enjoyable. It had so good laugh out loud moments but it also had it’s harder times with the serious topics the characters had to deal with. And it was interesting to see Katy Cannon focus the story around sewing instead of baking. 

In all, I didn’t quite enjoy Secrets, Schemes and Sewing Machines as much as Love, Lies and Lemon Pies but it’s still full of friendship, romance, and of course drama and it’s a read that many will enjoy. 

3.5 flowers!

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

How To Sew A Story

In lots of ways (okay, some ways) writing a book is a lot like making a patchwork quilt. Sort of.

Bear with me here.

Choose your pattern.

The first thing you need to do when making a patchwork quilt is to choose your pattern. This will tell you how many patches you need, out of how many fabrics and what shapes they need to be. For the sake of simplicity, let’s say you’re making a simple patchwork with 56 squares in 7 different fabrics. Okay?

Now, for a story, you can also start with your pattern. What genre is your story – sci fi, contemporary, fantasy, historical, romance… what’s it about? And who is your audience – young adult, middle grade, picture book? Knowing these things will give you some idea of how long and complicated your book will be.

Say you decide you want to write a YA novel, around 60,000 words, with a few subplots and several supporting characters.

Choose your fabrics.

You already know you need 7 different fabrics from your pattern, but choosing them is the fun part. Do you want them to all be shades of the same colour, or complementary colour groups – or vivid, bright clashing colours? It’s entirely up to you.

It’s the same with your story. Imagine your 56 squares are each pieces of your story – scenes even. Each different fabric represents a different story strand – perhaps your main character and plot get your favourite pattern, and you have more squares of that fabric than any other. Your second favourite might go to the love interest and romance story thread, the third the best friend and their subplot, and so on until you have all seven fabrics cut into the right number of squares.

Lay out your squares.

Now it’s time to lay your squares of fabric out into the order you want them to appear on your blanket – you decide you want a good mix, so that it looks random, but actually is very carefully planned to ensure that no two squares next to each other are the same, and that the fabrics you have fewer squares of are spread evenly throughout the quilt. (It’s harder than it sounds.)

And so it goes with your story. You want your main plot squares, or scenes, to span the whole book, with the subplots and supporting characters slipped in between, adding extra depth and meaning to the story. (Of course, in a book, one scene can cover several plot threads, but let’s not complicate things too much…) Basically, you want to weave all your plots and characters together into a logical order, making sure that the action and emotion rises and falls, and that the different plots are spread out through the story.

Stitch your squares together.

Once you’re happy with your layout, it’s time to stitch the squares together, one row at a time, then to join all the rows together to form the quilt top.

Or, in other words, it’s time to write the book – one scene, one chapter at a time, until you have a finished draft.

This is also harder than it sounds.

  

Choose your stuffing and backing and sew the layers together.

But a finished quilt top isn’t a finished quilt, and a finished first draft isn’t a finished book.

For the quilt, you need to choose your wadding or stuffing and a backing fabric, to make it deeper, softer and cosier. You lay them out, right sides of the quilt top and backing fabric facing, with the wadding on top, then sew all the way around the edges, leaving a gap on one end. At this point, it looks rather like a disaster.

For your book, you need to revise it, also to make it deeper – and more meaningful and better written. You tear the whole thing apart before putting it back together again. This also looks disastrous.

Turn the right way out and overstitch.

But then you turn your quilt the right way out, stitch up the gap, and realise you actually made a quilt. A beautiful quilt. You add the finishing touches – overstitching along all the joins to give it more texture – and you’re done!

Hopefully, when you turn your book the right way out again – or come back to it after a short break – it’s beautiful too. Like with your quilt, you go through touching it up – fixing an awkward phrase, adding a better description, that sort of thing. And finally, it’s done. Hooray!

Give away, or curl up under on a cold night.

Patchwork quilts make beautiful gifts – as do books. But whether you keep your quilt and book for yourself to enjoy, or whether you give them away – sending them out into the wide world of publishing for instance – the important thing is that you made it, all by yourself. And nobody else in the world has one like it.

AUTHOR BIO

Katy Cannon was born in the United Arab Emirates, grew up in North Wales and now lives in Hertfordshire, which is rather flat and green by comparison.

She recently discovered that her great grandmother, Louisa, was one of the first women in India to earn her degree, back in 1916, which makes Katy’s own reading-in-the-bath method of getting an English Literature degree from Lancaster University in the 21st century a little less impressive.

It didn’t take her long to realise that writing stories was much more fun than analysing ones that other people had written. It also meant that she could write the sort of stories she actually loved to read, rather than the ones she was supposed to want to read.

Katy has an unending passion for castles and the seaside, which means she spends a lot of holidays dragging her husband, small daughter and Teddy around the country to look at crumbling piles of rocks, or going paddling (but she does always buy them fish and chips afterwards).

Katy loves animals, and grew up with a cat, lots of fish and a variety of gerbils, and her daughter has recently decided she wants to be a vet. Katy is hoping that the publication of her series, Pooch Palace coming from Stripes Publishing in March 2014, will finally convince her husband to let her get a dog!

Katy is represented by Gemma Cooper of The Bent Agency.

{Book Promo} The Lover's Promise by J.C Reed

The Lover's Promise 
(No Exceptions #3)
by J.C. Reed 
Release Date: November 4th, 2014

Publishers: HarperCollins 
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance

Pages: 397

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / Barnes & Noble

Meeting Jett was like lighting a match. Dangerous. Scorching. And better left untouched. In his game, some secrets can be deadly.

Brooke Stewart, a realtor in New York, is sure of one thing. She has to stay away from the one man who betrayed her. He fooled her once, and she won’t let it happen again. When her loans are settled by the very man who’s a murder suspect, little choice does she have than to confront him and risk falling for him again.

Dangerously sexy and arrogant millionaire Jett Mayfield knows his secrets destroy trust. However, when they serve to protect the woman he loves, he has no intention of risking Brooke’s life. When Brooke seeks him to get an explanation, little does he know that there’s something worse that threatens to destroy their lives. Soon there’s only one choice: break or get broken. When everything is spiraling out of control, will his promise keep her by his side…or will he lose her forever?

A man who will never forget her
A woman who can’t trust him
Both are on the run
2 Lives. 2 Destinies.
One Promise 

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{Review} All Lined Up (Rusk University #1) by Cora Carmack

Posted by Donna
Release Date: May 13th, 2014
Finished Date: January 14th, 2015

Publishers: William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: NA, Contemporary, Romance
Source: Bought
Format: Kindle

Pages: 320

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cora Carmack follows up her trio of hits—Losing It, Faking It, and Finding It—with this thrilling first novel in an explosive series bursting with the Texas flavor, edge, and steamy romance of Friday Night Lights.

In Texas, two things are cherished above all else—football and gossip. My life has always been ruled by both.

Dallas Cole loathes football. That's what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College is her time to step out of the bleachers, and put the playing field (and the players) in her past.

But life doesn't always go as planned. As if going to the same college as her football star ex wasn’t bad enough, her father, a Texas high school coaching phenom, has decided to make the jump to college ball… as the new head coach at Rusk University. Dallas finds herself in the shadows of her father and football all over again.

Carson McClain is determined to go from second-string quarterback to the starting line-up. He needs the scholarship and the future that football provides. But when a beautiful redhead literally falls into his life, his focus is more than tested. It's obliterated.

Dallas doesn't know Carson is on the team. Carson doesn't know that Dallas is his new coach's daughter.

And neither of them know how to walk away from the attraction they feel.

The Review: I’d been wanting to read All Lined Up since it was first released and eventually managed to snag it a couple of months ago on kindle really cheap – I’m sure it was like 59p – so you know I couldn’t say no to that. But it was a very well spent 59p because All Lined Up was just as good as I was hoping it would be.

Dallas Cole has grown up around nothing but football. Her father coach football and her ex-boyfriend is a quarterback but for Dallas, she hates the sport because she’s always comes second to it. Moving to Rusk University is supposed to be her way out but when her father takes a new coaching job and her ex-boyfriend gets a scholarship there, football seems to be following her everywhere. So when she meets Carson McClain – someone she has an instant connection to – she’s devastated when she finds out he plays football too but can’t deny the attraction between them.

Carson McClain needs to become Rusk University’s staring line up to get the scholarship he needs to continue school. But when Dallas Cole comes into his life he is determined to not get distracted and more importantly finding out that she’s the new coach’s daughter should turn him away but it doesn’t. No matter what Dallas has Carson’s full attention and soon these two discover what it’s like to have something else to focus on.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a new adult story because I find I have to be in the right mood for a new adult story but Cora Carmack did a great job with All Lined Up. I find myself hoping I can get around to reading All Broke Down sometime soon.

I really enjoyed both Dallas and Carson and the fact that it’s told in a dual narrative is a bonus to. I liked Dallas, I loved that she was head strong and determined. But I think I liked Carson more. What surprised me was he’s not your typical football player. He doesn’t play around with girls. He’s not a player. He’s quiet and dedicated. And most of all he’s honest. He surprised me. I was expecting another bad boy that reforms because of the girl but Carson really isn’t that. He’s already a good guy and that was totally unexpected.

In all, All Lined Up is a good and easy read and one that makes you invest in the characters. I can’t wait to read more from Cora Carmack.

{Review} Riding the Odds by Lynda K. Scott

Posted by Melanie 
Release Date: February 2nd, 2015
Finished Date: January 21st, 2015

Publishers: Entangled: Select Otherworld
Genre: Sci-Fi, Adult
Source: For Review
Format: EBook

Pages: 368

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US 

An act of desperation and the beginning of seduction... 

Spaceship captain Tara Rowan has her secrets. One is her Rider, Zie. Zie is an organic symbiote—like a living tattoo—that enhances Tara's physical abilities, including superhuman strength and reflexes. The other is the past she's tried so hard to leave behind her. But it's not until oh-so-sexy Trace Munroe decides to blackmail Tara that she realizes her secrets aren't so secret after all...

Trace is a Holy Knight who does everything by the book. Desperate to find a missing princess, he'll do whatever it takes to rescue her and bring her kidnappers to justice. Including blackmail. Yet something about the feisty ship captain draws Trace in and stirs his desire—even if she is a wanted criminal. Because the last thing he needs is any complications...especially when he has his own secrets to hide.

The Review: Riding the Odds was a great Sci Fi/Space adventure read that features the awesome enemies to lovers scenario.
As the synopsis tells us – Tara Rowan has secrets, secrets that could mean death because of the past she wishes would just stay there. Tara is also the owner of a rider, a dragon like symbiote that lives in her body and gives her enhanced abilities, hers is called Zie and they have a close bond because they have been together a long time. Tara is also an independent trader who scrapes by making a living by transporting goods around the area with her trusty spaceship. She keeps people at arms length for fear they will find her secrets…. That is until Trace Monroe walks into her life and the problems begin.
Trace is a Holy Knight, he ekes out justice to those who break the laws and none will feel his wrath more than the ‘scum’ who have kidnapped his sister. He will stop at nothing to find her, even using a little blackmail to get Tara to help transport him and give him an ‘in’ with the lower class people….. he knows her secrets and is not afraid to use them…. But he has secrets of his own… and neither are prepared for the desire that their chemistry sparks in each other.

I really enjoyed this book and found it hard to put down. The characters were really good and easy to connect with; Tara had a hard live that is slowly revealed as the story goes on, her secret is pretty bad in a sense but understandable and until people have her side of the story, they shouldn’t judge as they have done. I love her connection to her Rider – Zie – I’m always wary of stories where two beings are inhabiting one body, most of the time because it’s some kind of domination issue and they spend the book trying to wrestle control from each other so I was pleased that this wasn’t the case here and they cohabited perfectly so that it was an asset rather than a disadvantage. Zie was sweet and funny, she was like a little childish conscience at times and always made me smile and I love how she was displayed on Tara’s body and how she could move around…. Very cool!
Trace was just what Tara needed to add some sweetness into her bleak life. He has it all going for him and boy do they clash, they both struggle with their want for each other, they argue over what to do, he surprises and challenges her in ways she has not been before and the sexual tension is rife! Trace struggles because the secrets he holds mean that he shouldn’t be with Tara but that’s not what his body is telling him. He is definitely a good match for her though, she challenges him too especially his need to do everything by the book but they complement each other immensely.
The storyline was really good, I often overlook this genre and I don’t know why because most of the time they are awesome and I love it even more when there’s romance. Some major points that made me love this story are; The world building – there are different planets, different atmospheres, different inhabitants and it was all very intriguing, the author did a really good job of explaining things about them that made it easy to read and get into; The Rider situation, I liked the idea of what they are and what they do, it was interesting and enjoyed the relationship between the Rider and the host; The secrets – who doesn’t love secrets in book? We know a couple from the start but that’s not to say the characters do and they keep you reading and involved in the story waiting for them to be revealed; The disappearance of Trace’s sister – you are never quite sure what’s happened to her, was she kidnapped? Did she run?.... and it’s the thread that ties everything together in the end. The action – there are plenty of skirmishes and life threatening situations throughout the story that really give it that danger factor and also an insight into how Tara/Zie work together and about who Trace really is…. It adds a big excitement to the story as we often wonder if they will make it out alive… and then there’s the romance to sweeten the pot and adds that right amount of love and hope so you can route for the characters in every single way. That is just the tip of the iceberg to what this book did for me, I loved it! And I hope there’ll be more from this world. 

4.5 flowers!

Thank to Entangled: Select Otherworld for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review. 

{Feature} Waiting on Wednesday (#103)

 

"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

Lying Out Loud
by Kody Keplinger
Release Date: April 28th, 2015

Kody Keplinger returns to the world of The DUFF in this brand-new companion novel!

Sonny Ardmore is an excellent liar. She lies about her dad being in prison. She lies about her mom kicking her out. And she lies about sneaking into her best friend's house every night because she has nowhere else to go.

Amy Rush might be the only person Sonny shares everything with -- secrets, clothes, even a nemesis named Ryder Cross.

Ryder's the new kid at Hamilton High and everything Sonny and Amy can't stand -- a prep-school snob. But Ryder has a weakness: Amy. So when Ryder emails Amy asking her out, the friends see it as a prank opportunity not to be missed.

But without meaning to, Sonny ends up talking to Ryder all night online. And to her horror, she realizes that she might actually like him. Only there's one small catch: he thinks he's been talking to Amy. So Sonny comes up with an elaborate scheme to help Ryder realize that she's the girl he's really wanted all along. Can Sonny lie her way to the truth, or will all her lies end up costing her both Ryder and Amy?

Donna's thoughts: I can officially say it's been far too long without a new novel by Kody Keplinger. Least we have The DUFF movie to keep us going until this release.

Melanie's WoW

Unexpected Fate (Hope Town #1) 
by Harper Sloan
Release Date: February 17th 2015

Have you ever felt like you were living your life for a future that was predetermined? Like there was some bigger picture you just prayed you would someday see clearly? That picture has been crystal clear to me since I was old enough to recognize it for just what it was.

Or I should say recognize him for who he was.

I’ve loved Cohen Cage since I was a small child. He’s been my everything for the last twenty-two years. I’ve loved him through every girlfriend he’s ever brought home. Through his college years and then mine. I’ve loved him through two deployments. And ever since the day I told him how I felt, he’s acted like I’m a stranger.

My name is Danielle Reid, and it’s time for me to get my man.

Our future is an unexpected fate, and no matter what our parents, siblings, and friends say…it’s going to be worth every second of the fight to make it happen.

Melanie's thoughts: I don't read many non paranormal romances but I adored Harper Sloan's Corps Security series and I'm super excited for this series because it runs on from that series & features the kids of the Corps Security guys. I just know I'm gonna love these too.

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{Review} Escape Velocity by Jess Anastasi

Posted by Melanie
Release Date: February 2nd, 2015
Finished Date: January 22nd, 2015

Publishers: Entangled: Select Otherworld 
Genre: Sci-Fi, Adult
Source: For Review
Format: EBook

Pages: 368

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US

Rebuilding his life. And rediscovering love... Ilari, Brannon System, 2436At first, Dr. Sacha Dalton is simply curious about the prisoner of war admitted to her med-lab...until she sees who it is. For Commander Kai Yang—the commander of the battleship Valiant Knox—has long been thought dead. Killed in action. But after almost a year and half, he's returned home. Returned to her.Kai is recovering from his ordeal and under the watchful care of Sacha, his childhood friend and the widow of his best friend. Only now, their friendship has grown and deepened into something far deeper, and far more complicated. Yet as Kai's body recovers, his psyche remains broken. How could he ever be the man he was, and the man Sacha deserves? But an intergalactic war has a way of forcing a man to be the hero he was always meant to be...

The Review: Escape Velocity was a well written, easy to read story and although I enjoyed it, it lacked something for me.
We begin the story with two prisoners in a cell, one realises the other is dead and decides now is the time to escape….
Then we head to the battleship Valiant Knox and meet Dr. Sacha Dalton as she is informed that there is a new patient and he is a POW. We find that during the last 18 months, Sacha has lost everything she loved – her husband and their best friend and former Commander of the Valiant Knox Kai Yang, both killed in action – she is alone and just living life through her job…. Until she sees who the patient is…. Commander Kai Yang! After 18 months he has returned alive and Sacha takes him under her care, who better to watch over him than his childhood best friend? It isn’t easy going for them, especially when Kai decides her wants to be something more to Sacha, but Sacha is worried it’s just because of his ordeal. Healing is challenging at the best of times but when there’s a war right outside their window…. It can be deadly
So, as I said – I did enjoy this. I found the characters very easy to like and connect with; Sacha seemed so lonely and threw herself into her work to combat that. We see a different side emerge when Kai returns but we also see a lots of emotions surrounding the loss of her husband and her feelings for Kai, she struggles with these and with the boundaries of the doctor/patient relationship. Kai himself struggles to deal with his life as it is now, it’s going to take time to heal but everyone around him thinks he is worse than what he is although he does struggle with PTSD. He knows his own mind and what he wants but Sacha seems to think that he shouldn’t be making decisions about his future at this time. There are a lot of pent up feelings between them and it’s clear to the reader that they are ‘meant’ to be together but both are struggling with their issues to be able to make a life changing decision to be together. They bring some lovely sexual tension to the story as we witness their will they/won’t they struggle where at times they let some passion through and you really want them to get a happy ever after.
Most of the story is the making of the relationship and dealing with the fallout from Kai’s imprisonment & Sacha’s grief, it’s easy to forget that there is a war going on around them. In the beginning when Kai is escaping, it was great – full of tension, anxiety and action. I was excited to see where it would go as he was chased….but it fizzled straight out and we didn’t even read of him being rescued and took back to the ship. That is all of the action we get until most of the way through the book when an event happens and I think – ok, here comes the action…..but it doesn’t and I was left deflated again. Then in the last part of the book we do get some action but it’s resolved too quickly and still not enough for my liking. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the relationship aspect of the book but I was expecting more from the overall story, they were at war! Where were the battles? Where were the fighter pilots? Where was the main bad guy? And that is what the book lacked for me, I wanted Kai to take his revenge on his captors but we dealt mostly with emotional issues and that to me wasn’t what I thought I would be getting. So, whilst I liked most of the book, it just didn’t excite me, it never took off, excited me or amounted to much… yeah it kept me reading because I was invested in the characters but other than that it was meh! 

3.5 flowers!

Thank you to Entangled: Select Otherworld for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.

{Blog Tour} Cursed by Fire (Blood & Magic #1) by Danielle Annett

Posted by Melanie
Release Date: January 28th, 2015
Finished Date: January 18th, 2015

Publishers: Self Published 
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Source: For Review
Format: EBook

Pages: 157

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US  

It has been six years since the Awakening and peace in Spokane, Washington is still tenuous at best. The vampires and shifters are all vying for control of the city and the humans seem to be the ones suffering the consequences, or so it seems.

Aria Naveed has spent the last two years of her life fighting to make the many wrongs of the world right, but soon finds out that the humans aren’t as weak as they appear and may be a more terrifying foe than any of the other races combined.

When a stranger rolls into town with trouble on his heels, Aria finds herself trapped in the middle of a battle that could cost her more than she has bargained for as a fight for justice turns into an unexpected fight for her life.

The Review: Cursed by Fire is an awesome introduction to the Blood & Magic series…..

A few years ago there was the ‘Awakening’ in which supernatural beings came out of the closet, Humans are no longer the top of the food chain. Everything about the world has changed including who holds the power and how they are governed; Vampires and Shifters are rivals for that power and always seem to be teetering on the edge of war with Humans stuck right in the middle….. what the supernaturals don’t know is that the Humans are evolving too and some come with their own abilities that just might be able to help them fight back.

Aria Naveed is one such human, she uses her abilities to investigate crimes – a mercenary if you will. After a particularly bad case involving a child murder that weighs heavily on Aria, she is forced to reopen the case when some new information comes to light. With the reassignment comes a partner, none other than her friend and Shifter – James – and she finally feels they will be able to put this case to bed…… but what if it’s just the beginning? What if the childs death is part of a bigger issue? Can Aria find out before it becomes too late?

If that’s not enough, Aria has a stalker, a strange man that evokes something in her each time they collide, he can do things Aria has never seen….. but can she trust him? Why is he following her?..... all will be revealed

I thought Cursed by Fire was an awesome read and a great introduction to the series. Aria is a character that is very likable, she has lost everyone she cares about and only has a couple of people who she trusts and loves, she gives off a slightly lonely vibe but doesn’t let it get in the way of her work. I really liked her magical status (I don’t really want to spoil anything but the clue might be in the title) and how handy it is in dangerous situations but saying that, I thought she needed to master it more.

The story was great and what started out as one thing totally turned into something else but that isn’t unusual for a UF and one of the reasons I love this genre so much. We are introduced to a much different world; with supernaturals being outed, the power dynamic has shifted greatly and the supernaturals have more power than humans, when you have a scenario like this you know what’s going to happen….the underdog is going to rise up and cause hell. We get the stirrings of war and meet all involved but no clear ‘good guy’ just yet because we are just getting to know everyone. I always like the investigative scenario that Aria finds herself in and it unravels some pretty interesting stuff as well as jaw dropping discoveries that come from nowhere. There is a smidge of romance and love triangle but it’s only a smidge and doesn’t detract from the story. I would say that I preferred one to the other and maybe routing for him but the other is more intriguing and I’d be happy to see either develop into something.

I would say the book was very well written and had a Kate Daniels feel to it, which is so not a bad thing in my mind. With it being the first book, it is very much a getting to know you and the world you live in plot but it builds a very strong basis for the series to expand from and plenty of potential for where it could go. I can’t fault it in anyway and thoroughly enjoyed it and am looking forward to more.

Thank you to Rock Star PR and Danielle Annett for giving me 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