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Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Undeclared by Jen Frederick

This was a feel-good, happily-ever-after book. I enjoyed how each chapter started off with one of their letters and how the story bounced between Grace and Noah point of views. It shows just how different male/female perspectives can be.
If you're looking for a feel good contemporary romance book, I recommend Undeclared.

Beyond the Sun by Sandra Bischoff

Wow! I really enjoyed this book and Ms Bischoff has become one of my fav authors!
Ms. Bischoff hits a home run in her debut novel!
The story was so beautifully written that I was hooked in the first chapter - but who wouldn't when the suspense starts in the first few paragraphs! It doesn't stop there...there's also action, comedy (Thanks to Lance!) of course there's the paranormal and slight touch of romance. What's not to love :)
Though there's a great deal of character building, the story doesn't slow or falter like it usually does in the first book of a series. There were so many twists and turns but yet the story flowed so nicely. Loved how the story ended, leaving the perfect starting point for the second book - I was sitting on the edge of my chair wanting to know more!!
I would have liked to seen more interaction and relationship building between Alex and Jared, the main characters. 
I highly recommend this book to those who love paranormal stories!

Death Lies Between Us by Jody A. Kessler

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

I thought the book started a little slow while building the characters and storyline, but usually the first book in a series is slow.  Though the story itself is very unique, in my experience, a combination of Native American mythology/folklore, a religious undertone, a twist of paranormal, and lastly romance.  I would have liked to see more interaction between Juliana and Nathan and more focus on their relationship.  I loved how the story bounced between Juliana and Nathan's point of view, giving the reader a different perspective. 

There were a few things that were left open in this book, but unsure if this was intentional for the second book or left for our interpretation.

The odd thing about this book, is the reader is wanting and cheering for Juliana and Nathan; but he's dead! He's the Angel of Death...WTH!!

And the end...never saw that coming!

Saturday, May 18, 2013

The Return by Nicole R. Taylor

I received this book as an Read-to-Read (R2R) from goodreads.com.  This did not influence my review in any way
 
I was very taken by surprise by The Return; it wasn't what I was expecting. It was so much more!
Included with this paranormal story, is Zac trying to deal with a death of a loved one, redemption from his past mistakes, Gabby trying to overcome the darkness that's overwhelming her, and, of course, betrayal. 
 
SPOILER ALERT!! Thank Goodness for chapter 12! I was completely taken by surprise! In hindsight, it was so obvious it was going to happen. My review would be completely different if "it" didn't.
 
Nicole included just enough details to make everything realistic but not too much to bog down the story. I liked how each character has their own internal conflict which, to me, made it more realistic.
 
I'm excited for the next book to further uncover more secrets and, hopefully, more Alex!
 
Writing this review is so challenging to do without spoilers. 


Saturday, May 11, 2013

Elle Casey’s Massive 190 title Springtime Indie Book Giveaway!!!

A quick heads up for all you giveaway lovers!
One of the biggest book giveaways is happening right now!
190 titles with up to 10 copies of each available in a format of your choosing. A great chance to get your next read FREE!

http://ellecasey.com/promotions/elle-caseys-springtime-indie-book-giveaway/

Happy Reading =)

Thursday, May 9, 2013

THE CADENCE by Casey Hays

An arc was provided by Goodreads. This did not influence my review in any way.
goodreads:
 
Emma King’s life is fairly ordinary, with the exception of one extraordinary aspect. She is plagued with the rare ability to feel a person's emotions with a simple touch. Any sensation she feels becomes amplified to almost unbearable levels. Emma has learned to keep her hands to herself and her emotions under wraps.​

But when quiet, good-looking Gage Parmer moves to town, everything changes, and for the first time in her life, Emma loosens the chains that hold her emotions in check and prepares herself for the whirlwind that is to come. Mysteriously lacking in emotions, Gage tells Emma an incredible story that pulls her into his world of impossibilities. At first, she refuses to believe. But when she puts his words to the test, she discovers that his world is also hers. ​

Soon she will be forced to use her ability in an attempt to destroy an ancient evil that has defied death and ruled the centuries in a reign of terror.

They are called… The Cadence.​​

In the end, she has only one weapon and one chance to defeat the Cadence, break their circle of power, and restore hope


My take

I absolutely loved this book! Thank you, Casey for sharing J, though that did not influence my review.  


I consumed this book in record time, at least for me it was record time. This fast consumption isn’t because I skipped chapters but because everything was just so fast-paced and I didn’t want to stop reading. I found myself staying up past midnight reading. This is pretty late when you have a toddler waking you up at the crack of dawn with enough energy to power an entire city.
For a book that spans close to 400 pages, I didn’t feel dragging at all, and no chapter felt like a filler. Every chapter had a purpose and all of it was a pleasure to read and so beautifully written.


 


Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Obsession by Jennifer L. Armentrout Cover Reveal!!


He’s arrogant, domineering, and… To. Die. For.
Hunter is a ruthless killer. And the Department of Defense has him firmly in their grasp, which usually doesn’t chafe too badly because he gets to kill bad guys. Most of the time he enjoys his job. That is, until he’s saddled with something he’s never had to do before: protect a human from his mortal enemy.

Serena Cross didn’t believe her best friend when she claimed to have seen the son of a powerful senator turn into something…unnatural. Who would? But then she witnesses her friend’s murder at the hands of what can only be an alien, thrusting her into a world that will kill to protect their secret.

Hunter stirs Serena’s temper and her lust despite their differences. Soon he’s doing the unthinkable—breaking the rules he’s lived by, going against the government to keep Serena safe. But are the aliens and the government the biggest threats to Serena’s life…or is it Hunter?

OBSESSION Link:
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14060046-obsession

About the Author:

#1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout lives
in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell, Loki.


Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.



Additional links to Jennifer’s pages:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jlarmentrout
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferLArmentrout
Website: http://www.jenniferarmentrout.com