Saturday, April 23, 2016

Review: Promised at the Moon

Promised at the Moon Promised at the Moon by Rebekah R. Ganiere
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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

This book starts right up and throws you into the tumultuous life of Natasha Moon. While dark at times, this book delivers a unique spin on your typical paranormal romance.

Natasha is forced to flee her home when her ex-boyfriend shows up demanding that she honor a promise she made when she was a young girl. Her parents risk their lives to get her to safety through a company that relocates shifters on the run. It's through this company that she first meets Liam. He's being paid to set up her new life, but he is definitely more interested in her than the typical relocation. Liam was once relocated himself and has remained staunchly unattached to another pack since then. He's done things that make him a bit of a bad boy, but he is definitely all about redemption now.

We watch Natasha make some tough decisions while still trying to be a young girl and we watch Liam try to accept that he just might be worthy of Natasha. These two dance around each other for a little bit, but some pretty extreme events have a way of pushing them where they belong. As the start of a series, it was interesting and unique - totally unexpected from the book blurb.


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Review: Must Love Ghosts

Must Love Ghosts Must Love Ghosts by Ani Gonzalez
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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

This is an adorable story about a wild child believer and a rigid skeptic finding a sizzling love. We get introduced to the unique town of Banshee Creek and all its eccentricities in this intro story.

Abby lost her husband while he was in Afghanistan a couple years ago and has been trying to find her footing ever since. Mike has been trying to find a good way to deliver a package to Abby, but somewhere along the way, she became his sole focus. A crush gone awry, he thinks, so he journeys to her house, determined to complete his "mission" and say goodbye for good. Unfortunately, Abby has no clue about his ulterior motives and quickly scoops him up for a Halloween party for the record books.

These two slam into each other in a very sudden yet welcome way. Their relationship, while filled with challenges, was pretty fun to watch unfold. There is certainly some compromise involved, but what helps them both out is Mike losing a little bit of his rigidity and going with the flow. While there is a little bit of actual paranormal activity, the town itself has been set up for more installments to come.

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Friday, April 15, 2016

Review: Secrets to Bear

Secrets to Bear Secrets to Bear by Flora Dare
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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

Another short read in the Grayslake universe – this one gives us a look at the bear shifter population. Combine fated mates with family secrets and you’ve got a really great read.

Lira has broken up with her boyfriend after finding him cheating but he just won’t quit. When he tries to confront her at a bar, a mysterious hottie steps in to save her with a kiss. That kiss turns into something so much more when, after a steamy one-night-stand, she can’t seem to stop thinking about him. Jake, the one-night stand, had no intention of ever letting her go. When he first caught her scent, he knew she was “the one.” Unfortunately, Lira managed to sneak out while he slept and his family obligations appear to be intent on slowing down his chase.

This story really had more than you would expect from a short read. There are a handful of interesting characters that all kept me guessing. Oh, and there’s also the positively sizzling chemistry these two have that kept me quickly turning pages and hoping for a nice HEA. This book delivers everything you want in a fated mates read, and more!


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Review: Never Kiss A Wolf

Never Kiss A Wolf Never Kiss A Wolf by Eliza Gayle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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

This short read takes place in the Grayslake universe and has much of the same “feel” of that world. We meet up with Lily, the eccentric and jumpy shifter who has been adopted by the pack’s alpha female and is just trying to make a new life for herself. Her abusive old pack had essentially used her as a breeder until she escaped and she has vowed to never go back.

Greer is working with his partner to track down a violent shifter. When news of his presence gets to Lily, she obviously assumes he is searching for her. Even that, though, can’t keep these two apart after they scent one another. Greer is forced to take a stand when the true bad guys show up and try to separate them. This darker love story was a nice, quick read that gave you a good taste of the Grayslake world. As a short story, it delivered on all levels, but still left me wanting more.


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Review: I Dream of Dragons

I Dream of Dragons I Dream of Dragons by Ashlyn Chase
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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

Dragons, leprechauns and muses, oh my! The paranormal elements will knock you over in this fun little read.

Rory and his sisters have been banished from Ireland due to an extreme misunderstanding with the local leprechauns. Their ancestral castle is left unguarded, they are not allowed say goodbye to anyone (even his sister’s boyfriend), and they don’t know how they will survive. Lucky for them, they end up in Boston, where the paranormal community appears to be thriving and welcoming to the dragons. Also, lucky for Rory, he meets a new muse – Amber. Less lucky for him (at least at first) is that the apartment he covets in a supernatural friendly building, has already been signed for by Amber. This puts the two of them in a sitcom-like situation of having to share the space until the landlords can make up their mind.

Amber is really trying to adjust to becoming a new muse, living with paranormals, and accepting her attraction to Rory. Sure, they keep secrets, but this fun and silly story had me smiling and happy almost the entire time. I can really appreciate a story that doesn’t take itself too seriously and would love to read more from this author.


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Review: Wolf on a Mission

Wolf on a Mission Wolf on a Mission by N.J. Walters
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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

This series is so enjoyable! With each new installment, I love the characters more and more. The blend of paranormal with “real life” makes for some good reads.

Elias and his nephews are the focus of this book of the series. It makes sense that since the main characters of Salvation are already mated, we get some “extended family” and newcomers to join the ranks of those in love. Elias might not be a member of the Salvation pack, but he certainly shares the same values. He left his original pack when he found out that his brother had fallen in love with a half-breed werewolf. Without hesitation, Elias can always be counted upon to take the right path, even if it is significantly harder. When his brother died, he didn’t even have to think about becoming their guardian and taking them to the only pack he thought might accept these unique kids.

Sue has lived in town and used to be best friends with Anny (known from previous books). All she has to think about to motivate herself is making a better life for her son. Even before these two met, I knew they would be *amazing* together. At first meeting, Elias knew that she was his mate. Sure, they try to fight it (as they always do) but the chemistry just won’t quit. There is quite a bit of drama that tries to get in the way of their romance, but with fated mates, you can be sure that Sue being 100% human and Elias being 100% werewolf won’t keep these two apart.


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Saturday, April 9, 2016

Review: Trial By Fire

Trial By Fire Trial By Fire by Chris Cannon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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

This installment continues the series with another strong story. We join up with Bryn, the perpetual black sheep (or dragon) who manages to change the system without even trying. Sure, there's injury and grave peril, but Bryn is managing to bring about a social revolution simply by being herself.

So we join Bryn and her friends at the start of a new semester immediately following the huge attack. While normally wounded or less than perfect dragons would be forced to take tutors and never come back, this year shows a new change in that policy. Sure, the students have a stigma attached, but they are still on campus and making friends with one another. By somehow making a group consisting of all of the clans, the school has managed to begin the blending of all the more insular groups.

The larger story (I think) was about Bryn and her reluctant love triangle. With Zane out of the picture, it leaves room for Bryn's Knight, Valmont, to swoop in to protect her and essentially become her live in boyfriend. She also sort-of-kind-of engaged to her roommate's boyfriend. This leads to many sticky situations, including some serious questioning of where her feelings end and where the Knight/Dragon bond begins.

The Directorate continues to be the big bad, but this book managed to get me to like Bryn's grandparents (yes, both of them!). I think if anything could be called the theme of the book, it would be moving beyond preconceived notions. Just about everyone in this book ended up surprising me. It was a quick paced read that completely had me hooked.

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Monday, April 4, 2016

Review: Conspiracy Boy

Conspiracy Boy Conspiracy Boy by Cecily White
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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

This was another fun installment in the Angel Academy series and is… the last? I’m not sure, since it seems way too soon to say goodbye to these characters, but this book certainly tied things up in a neat little bow.

Amelie is still her usual sarcastic and witty self in this one. She’s facing a whole ton of issues but she never seems to lack the necessary comeback. Trapped in a high school full of people who think you’re engaged to your sorta-vampire-sire-type-hottie and sister to a serial killer, being the source of a world ending prophecy seems almost normal. The prophecy might have been assumed to have been dealt with last time, but it seems nothing is really as it seems. Except Jack, because he’s amazing, but even that has to be kept a secret. Secrets appear to be the theme that runs throughout – whether it is from Amelie, from the Elders, from the world, or simply from one of Amelie’s love interests.

I’m not even sure where to start with the drama in this book – there is so much jammed into the pages that things change chapter by chapter. Starting with Luc (aforementioned sorta-vampire-sire-type-hottie), Amelie is being tasked with helping out in his Sovereign Trials (whatever that entails) while living in a house full of people who hate her. Sure, there are designer clothes and lots of eye candy, but it certainly doesn’t make up for lack of freedom. Next we have some assassins trying to hunt Amelie down using unknown powers and lots of bone crunching strength. This leads to a lot of fun fights. Lastly (kind of, because I’m glossing over the oodles of other points), we’ve got a war that’s brewing between the factions for reasons that are mostly kept secret from Amelie. I found myself frustrated on her behalf about that one. Throw all this into a blender with confusing teenage feelings and adult expectations and you have a couple days in the life of Amelie. She was really fun to read about, but I wouldn’t ever want to be her. Jack is the one ray of mostly uncomplicated sunlight in her life and even that gets tested in this book. Buckle in because this book takes you on a very bumpy ride.


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Sunday, April 3, 2016

Review: When We Were Us

When We Were Us When We Were Us by Tawdra Kandle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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

Wow - this book really put me through hell and back. This was teen angst at its finest and it brought back all the horrible and magical times along with it. This is the start of a new set of books, so please don't hope for happily ever after at the end of this one.

Nate, Leo, and Quinn have been friends forever. Their friendship began because of the friendship their parents have but it definitely grew into something genuine between them all. Nate was born prematurely and suffers from a lifetime of health issues because of it. Luckily, he has Quinn as his champion, being the motherly type who stands up for him every chance she has. Leo is the sporty one who ultimately ends up on the football team. He might be the one most impacted by high school peer pressure to fit in. Quinn is the "nerd" of the group, heading towards the school newspaper for her high school career. All three of them somehow manage to hold onto their friendship without major issues, until hormones get in the way.

As usual, high school messes everything up. Quinn is secretly in love with Leo. Leo is banging every girl he can to avoid Quinn. Nate, being the blunt one, is open about his love for Quinn, but it looks like that romance is never meant to happen. Through the ups and downs, he might be the one who gets hurt the most, whether its intentional or not. This crew certainly knows how to generate drama.

Without giving away any big plot points or surprises, you can expect a rollercoaster of a read. Just when things start looking up for this trio, fate comes and punches them in the face with something horrible. Some things just really hurt to read. While this book isn't for someone looking for a standalone romance, it is definitely ramping up to reward us by the end of the series (I hope). All of this strife should give a more rewarding ending.

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Review: Love Paws

Love Paws Love Paws by Olivia Hardin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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

My one and always (Tawdra Kandle)
This story was short, sweet, sexy, and fun. As with the rest of the series set in this world, there were nice visits with all of the previous characters, but this was about Will and Sydney. Will is someone who fans of the author will recognize as the friend (and could have been more) to a previous book character. Being the newspaper man in a small town, everyone knows his business, and his obsession with asking Sydney out is no different. In a last ditch effort to win her over, he jumps back into dog ownership and (hopefully) a new relationship with the girl of his dreams. These two were completely adorable together and it definitely brightened my day. If you're looking for a quick and satisfying read, this is a story for you.

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