Review: Undeniable (The Serendipity Duet, #1)

Undeniable by Tawdra Kandle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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

I absolutely loved this book! Reading this new book filled with Rafe and some other familiar faces from the King series is like running into your best friends for a night out on the town. As a fan, you're already familiar with the world, the characters, and most of the locales. I have been one of the people dying to hear what happened to poor old Rafe after Tasmyn stomped on his heart, crying for more Rafe in future books. It was so satisfying to watch him go on his own adventure in this book.

This book starts where Rafe and Tasmyn's story really separates. We get to see what Rafe does immediately following graduation all the way up past when he and Tasmyn cross paths again (sort of). Worried that this will just be a "fill in the blanks" type story? Don't be-- this book is jam packed with a completely original Rafe storyline and everything you've ever wanted to know about him. I will admit, Rafe kind of got painted as a sort of bad guy during Michael and Tasmyn's breakup, and the poor lovesick fool couldn't quite give her up even after it was painfully obvious that they weren't meant to be. Luckily, this book really gives you a deep look at Rafe's feelings and motivations, his family, and much much more -- it is sooooo good!

After graduation, Rafe goes on a bit of a girl and booze bender, hopping from city to city in search of a way to drown out his poor broken heart. In New Orleans, he finally makes a good decision and picks up a girl named Joss. I fell in love with her instantly, as I'm sure Rafe started to do as well. She's headstrong and tough enough to take even the sexy and sure Rafe on in a battle of seduction and innuendo. Yes, this book has sex. I don't think there could be a Rafe book without it (or at least not one that does his story justice). This book really convinced me how absolutely wrong Rafe and Tasmyn were as a couple. Rafe needs a strong partner, and as much as I love Tasmyn, that just isn't her.

The real story of this book (other than Rafe) is a bit of a continuation of the mission Tasmyn was on with Emma in a previous book. Rafe gets roped in (or convinced) by Joss to join the team and fully step into his good guy role. Together, Rafe and Joss they end up in more trouble than they could imagine, and we even get to see some familiar faces on the way. There's mystery and action coupled with some really heartwarming displays of affection. It had me smiling and laughing and on the edge of my seat the entire way through.

While this series is set in the same world as the King series, this book really is completely different. The writing style is still easy and quick, making the pages fly by without a thought, but it has a definite adult edge. It's filled with all the goodies a King series fan is hoping for with a few surprises I wasn't sure I could handle. I was rooting for Rafe every step of the way and am dying to read the next book! When does it come out???

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Review: Awaking (The Naturals, #1)

Awaking by Madeline Freeman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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

This was a really solid start to a series! The setup of this unique world was completely engaging and had me hooked from the first page. This group of characters was fun and interesting, and the paranormal elements were new and exciting.

Morgan is the star of this particular novel. Always a bit of a “freak” for having the ability to tell people’s futures, she falls in with her own little group of misfits. Ris (aka Clare) is her BFF who drags her to a party at the start of the book. This seemingly innocuous party triggers a set of events that leads to Morgan’s “awaking.” Turns out, Morgan’s powers are very real, and she’s been noticed by the Veneret, a secret group of people with “superpowers.” These powers range from influencing someone’s thoughts and actions to moving things with their mind. Each person is different, but Morgan is *very* different.

She slowly accumulates an even more diverse group of friends made up of Corbin (the popular rich kid), Lia (the pushy high school newspaper editor), and Lucas (the drink guessing barista). But things aren’t all puppies and rainbows in this new world. Turns out, increasing your power comes with a price, and it’s one that Morgan isn’t so sure is worth it. There are oodles of mystery, revelations, and prophecy in this fast-paced and wonderfully written novel. We don’t get a HEA at the end, but we do get a lot of motivation to pick up the next one! I can’t wait!


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Review: Devil's Frost (The Spellspinners of Melas County, #3)

Devil's Frost by Heidi R. Kling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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

This book picks up right where the previous one ended. We're still at the stone circle and the action and drama never stops! In a few hours, you get sucked back into this YA paranormal romance and its twisty turns!

Lily and Logan are suffering just about every impediment a young magical couple can endure. First with the Lily fake out (via Orchid), then with the Logan fake out (via Jude), then again with the Lily fake out (via Orchid), and finally with some truly stunning revelations from Iris and Jacob. There's adventures under the sea and sexy times on the beach to round out the incredibly busy hours following the big fight scene.

There's a nice balance of Lily's POV chapters followed by Logan's POV chapters. It was good to get some of Logan's insight to temper the raging girl drama that goes on inside Lily's head. Together, if they were open and honest with each other, they might finally balance each other out. I hope they get there in the next book.

Speaking of the next book, at the end of this one, we got to see inside Daisy's head to find out what happens while Lily and Logan are on the run. Does that mean we get a Daisy-centric story in the next book? I'm not sure how I feel about that, but as long as it keeps delivering the YA paranormal-y goodness, I'll be eager to read it.

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Review: The Gleaning - (The Spellspinners of Melas County, #2)

The Gleaning - by Heidi R. Kling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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

This book thankfully picks up immediately where book 1 left us. Logan and Lily are trying to figure out how to make their relationship work, all while the clock is counting down the "the gleaning." Throw in some really confusing and hot doppelgangers and we've got a really addictive YA read.

Yes, this one ends in a cliffhanger, too, so if that sort of thing is a deal breaker none of my review will matter. That being said, this was a really fun read. I like trying to put together the pieces and solve this grand mystery that the author is building up. I wish we got more Logan/Lily time, but am holding out for even more romance in book 3.

The structure of this book was similar to the first in that you are prompted to make choices along the way. I don't know that my read would be the same as everyone else's, but I kept choosing to run after Logan (as everyone should, I guess). I'm still rooting for the doomed couple and can't wait for more YA paranormal romancey goodness!

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Review: Witch's Brew (The Spellspinners of Melas County, #1)

Witch's Brew by Heidi R. Kling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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

I can honestly say I’ve never read a book like this before. It was almost like a “choose your own adventure” in that it asked which direction you wanted to go at two parts. I’m not sure how the book would’ve gone otherwise, but I really enjoyed what I read.

This is the story of a world where witches and warlocks are separated by a years old feud. Destined to battle it out in “the gleaning” to steal each other’s power, they are trained in same sex groups (women are witches and men are warlocks), with the witches getting the light power and the warlocks getting the dark power. After weeks of malfunctioning magic, Lily stumbles upon a book that details the 100 year curse that is set to expire. After those 100 years pass, they won’t have access to any magic, unless they find a warlock who can possess both types of magic. It looks like Lily finds a candidate for this in Logan, the first warlock she’s ever met.

The YA romance was pretty adorable. Logan and Lily had me rooting for them all along the way, no matter what their respective warlocks or witches had to say about it. Sadly, this ended in a huge cliffhanger (in my opinion). Luckily, I’ve got the next book lined up to start right now! I can’t wait to see where the story goes!


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Review: Dark Moon (Spirit Wild #3)

Dark Moon by Kate Douglas
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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

This book takes place in a shapeshifter world unlike any other I've read. There is a blend of goddesses, shifters, magic, and romance (of course) that is really unique in each book from this series.

Fen, Sunny, Ig, and Star are the main characters in this book. The two sets of romances happen between Fen and Sunny and Ig and Star. They pretty much represent the two extremes for paranormal romance couples. Fen and Sunny meet and are mated within 3 days while Ig and Star have been fighting their relationship for 30 years. There's a lot more baggage and explanation than that, but that's the simplistic summary of the romantic elements. The action comes from a variety of run-ins they have with poachers who turn out to be much more.

Since this was my second book in the series, I was pretty comfortable with the rather erotic scenes and the +1 (and +2) guests in the bedroom (or loft, as the case may be). The matings in this book were also completely unique in that the stories intersect in ways I didn't anticipate. Overall, this book kept me guessing, but was probably more of a love story (or two, or three) than an action book of any sort.

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Review: Gathering Water

Gathering Water by Regan Claire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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

I'm a sucker for a good YA read, and this book really blew me away. I had originally picked it up for a short read but immediately found myself unable to stop. The writing and pacing in the book trick you into reading for much longer than originally intended!

I loved this story and am even willing to forgive a cliffhanger ending to issue it a full 5 star rating. Della is a beautifully broken foster kid who, upon reaching her 18th birthday, finds out she who her mother is and that she's inherited a house in North Carolina. Poor Della ends up learning a lot more about her family and the inheritance of some truly amazing powers. The family she stumbles into was one of the best parts of the book. The heart and warmth between all of those characters was so genuine and "real," even when the circumstances were rather magical.

Oh, and of course the book has some yummy YA romance as a bonus. Through Della's new cousin, Cash, we meet Dove. He's your typical hottie, with brains and some of his own unique powers. While Della is trying to find herself, she still has time to notice this boy, for which I am thankful. Here's hoping the next book gives even more of this wonderful tale and it has lots more action and romance to come.

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