Review: Cast in Faefire

Cast in Faefire by S.M. Reine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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

Man, I'm glad things appear to have taken a pretty spectacular turn in this book. Marion was really starting to bother me with her lovestruck teenager vibe. On top of that - Seth is awesome! Why can't he ever catch a break? This book shows a lot of sacrifice, even more bloodshed, and everyone's true colors.

We begin this book with Marion and Konig still planning their wedding (or rather, Konig's mom and secret mistress are planning it). For someone who supposedly loves Konig, she sure spends a lot of time not knowing what she wants for this magical wedding. It hurt lots and lots to watch this happen while the reader knows all the horrible things that are going on behind her back. I also suspect that the memories Marion lost contain a not so pretty history between the two of them.

On top of that - Seth! They clearly love each other, but after the little vampirey meltdown he had, he is obviously in self punishment mode at the start. I get that he also has some literal wounds to heal and is trying to hide his big reveal from the last book, but I wish these two would just accept it and move on. Fate (or the gods?) seem to have it out for these two star-crossed lovers, though. You never get a really happy ending in this series, but I'm still hoping for one at the end. Maybe Seth will finally get something that is exclusively for him and not some other guy. I hate watching him play 2nd best when he is clearly the guy who deserves his happily ever after.

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Review: Awakened by Fire

Awakened by Fire by Erin Kellison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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

Wow - this book was really great! I kind of forgot how good this universe was in the previous book and was surprised all over again by the wonderful world of the Blookin.

Samantha was raised in the household of the Voclains and her father continues to work for them as one of the most trusted employees. Unfortunately, they are hiding a pretty big secret that could change everything. While Samantha always knew that she should avoid coming back "home," being a bridesmaid kind of requires you to attend the wedding. Warrick Voclain, the fuel for many of Samantha's teenage fantasies, ends up dragging her into some very dangerous family drama, she should know better than to get drawn in.

Warrick always thought that he would marry another dragon as a matter of business and didn't even bother hoping for love. His family has been traumatized enough by strong emotion that he is better focused on strategy. There are some attempts made on Bloodkin that force Warrick into Triad-mode which isn't really helped by the fact that Samantha is apparently hiding some pretty massive (and illegal) powers. Oh, and there's some steamy sexual chemistry going on between them, too. With nobody to trust, these two end up making a great team. Samantha isn't just he damsel in distress, though - she's the true hero of the story.

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Review: Hanging by a Moment: Keeping Score Trilogy Book Two

Hanging by a Moment: Keeping Score Trilogy Book Two by Tawdra Kandle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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

Wow – this series just won’t quit! The first book definitely gave you the truly heartbreaking high school experience. This book gives you a look into the college experience, with the twist of becoming a bit of a local sensation.

Quinn and Leo are forced to reconnect following the death of her father. How could he possibly stay away? Poor Nate, who has been her steady and constant companion, just can’t be what she needs like Leo can. The beginning of the book, while horribly gritty and “real,” gives us what I wanted at the end of the last book – Quinn and Leo reconnecting and putting the “small stuff” aside. The freedom that comes with college ends up giving them both a glimpse of what their future together would actually become. Sadly, this isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Again, these relationships have such a gritty realness (with the exception of the famous football player angle) that I was able to easily relate to their strife.

Nate, still tragically in love and dealing with his terminal illness, actually has a glimpse of a normal life in the form of living on campus. His roommate was a fun addition to the cast of characters and I can’t wait to see if we get more from his story. Sadly, we get more bad news in this book that forces Nate to be even more honest than ever before. Quinn, the dutiful friend, also has to make some tough choices. This ending might be even more depressing than the last one, but I’m optimistic that things will turn around. They will, right???


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Review: Snowbound with Ghost

Snowbound with Ghost by Ani Gonzalez
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This series is adorable and fun and if you aren't reading it, you're really missing out on a good time.

Sebastian Franco is part of the already introduced Franco family. He went to California after high school, leaving behind his small town girlfriend, Lily, to pursue fame and fortune. While he managed to accumulate said fame and fortune, his girlfriend out in California turned out to be using him for the roles and publicity that came along with. To avoid some more "I told you so"s and lick his wounds, he thought a trip to his cabin back home to get snowed in seemed like a great idea. That seemed fine until he spotted another vehicle already there. Lily was tasked by Sebastian's mother to redecorate his cabin. It would seem weird if she wasn't the town's most well known decorator.

These two meet and sparks almost immediately start flying. What could be more romantic than a nice snowy cabin scene? Sure, they've got some baggage to sort out, but with some otherworldly help, these two get the HEA that you can't help but root for.

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Review: Endangered

Endangered by Dani Hoots
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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

This book was a blend of mythology, YA, and action-adventure. When the daughter of Hades sets out on an adventure on Earth, what could go wrong?

Chrys is the daughter of Hades and Persephone and has been kept a secret to avoid Zeus's punishment. Being confined to a palace doesn't sound like a bad thing, but when it goes on for a few lifetimes, even the most patient person would get a little antsy to get out. To try to appease his daughter, she is allowed tutors, the most recent of which is the very teenage and love-struck Huntley. After her mother makes her yearly appearance (complete with parade of lovers), Chrys is pushed to her limit. Her other BFF ends up convincing her that sneaking away to Earth is a way to blow off some steam and, for some angsty teenage girl reason, she agrees.

Huntley is pretty much the only voice of reason, and he's still a trouble making teen. They certainly cause some trouble on Earth while there for a short amount of time. The ramifications of their visit (and some horrible betrayal) haven't even been fully realized at the end of this book. What these teens are in for can only be guessed at until we read the next book.

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Review: Savage Urges

Savage Urges by Suzanne Wright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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

We rejoin The Phoenix Pack, this time from the outside as we follow the adorably quirky relationship between Makenna and Ryan. These two were wonderfully entertaining to watch.

Makenna is a loner with a secret past that she prefers to keep that way. She finds new homes for loner shifters who have somehow ended up at the shelter. She's spunky, sarcastic, and tough as nails. Almost nothing scares her until she meets Ryan and feels completely drawn to him. Ryan is still recovering from his traumatic time at the hands of torturing monsters. On the outside, he is even more withdrawn than ever, but on the inside he is suffering. Nothing seems to ease the pain until he meets Makenna. For once, he and his wolf agree on something, and that something is Makenna.

As if a budding romance wasn't confusing enough, they've also got a lot of pack drama to handle. Makenna's friends and fellow volunteers at the shelter find themselves drawn into a territory dispute. The Phoenix Pack, not ones to leave the helpless on their own, jump in to help Ryan's lady love (and friends), which ultimately throws them into a pack war bigger (and darker) than they imagined. There's a big battle, lots of romance, and happy endings for everyone (except the bad guys). Another good installment in this series.

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Review: Lone Wolf: BBW Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance

Lone Wolf: BBW Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance by Tessa Clarke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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

This was a relatively short read that had a big time romance jammed into a smaller package. There's shifters, family drama, and some sizzling chemistry.

Delany has just moved into town to become a country veterinarian when a housecall brings her to Leif's ranch. He's got oodles of baggage leftover from his time overseas and has become something of a loner (with the exception of a woman to warm his bed most nights). Even with that warning, Delany still can't deny the attraction between them. What begins as just a one night stand grows into so much more than either intended. This standalone story gives a good, solid HEA that is worth any drama leading up to it.

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