BOOK REVIEW - DARKNESS FALLS by CATE TIERNAN - IMMORTAL BELOVED # 2

By : Cate Tiernan
Published By: Hodder & Stoughton
Release Date :10th JANUARY  2012
Details : Paperback,  ARC 392 Pages

Received from publisher for honest review back in August 2011.

RATING : 4.5 CRAZY INNOCENCIO STARS!!

Book Blurb: Taken From Goodreads

Nastasya has lived for hundreds of years, but for some reason, life never seems to get any better. She left her spoiled, rich girl life to find peace at River's Edge, a safe haven for wayward immortals. There, she learned to embrace River's Edge, despite some drama involving the sexy Reyn, who she wants but won't allow herself to have. But just as she's getting comfortable, her family's ties to dark magick force her to leave.  


She falls back into her old, hard partying ways, but will her decision lead her into the hands of a dark immortal? Or will it be her first step to embracing the darkness within her.



BOOK REVIEW:



I am really loving this series of Cate’s , it just keeps getting better in my eyes. Boy did Cate hit it out the ball park with the last few chapters...OMG!! I was literally holding my breath and Cate..oh Cate!!! You went their girl......oh did you go there. I am soooooo drooling for the third book in the series , ‘Immortal Light’, I have a tad long wait...*sigh*.


Oh, does Innocencio bring it in Darkness Falls...my, oh my , that boy has fallen into some darkness.


Reyn is just gorgeous and we still aren’t getting a great deal of Reyn, but, I understand why. The bit we get is hot ,hot, hot. He is trying to move forward with Nastasya there is this chemistry between them that keeps getting botched. Nastasya can’t seem to stop her mouth running around Reyn. She just isn’t ready to let the Butcher of Winter be just Reyn of the 21st century. I keep wanting more of the new Reyn....the one Amy manages to make laugh. He carries a great deal of guilt, he is trying to survive immortality.


I do enjoy Nastasya’s dialogue, when she is talking to herself or to the reader, it feels like you are part of the story. She has this down to earth way of talking about the crap she has got herself into.


There is still a lot of personal growth Nastasya needs to go through before she can wake up to what is right in front of her and see the light through her darkness, her past. She needs to stop blaming herself and Reyn and move on to a healthier existence. Living in the past is not healthy, it’s debilitating.


Things seem to be going wrong at River’s Edge, with every 10 steps Nastasya takes forward, she slips back 7. Sometimes it’s just easier to run....


River is still a most awesome, calming influence, selfless to the core. You learn a lot more about her darkness and what she has dug herself out of to get to where she is now.


I love the memories that come through in this book. They give the characters their depth with the pain they have been through and the darkness they have lead themselves. If they can become the people that surround Nastasya now, there is hope. She isn’t the worst River has tried to help. Compared to some, Nastasya’s 459yrs of life really wasn’t that terrible. Everybody that is at River’s Edge is there because coping with their life in the 21st century was just too much. Something had to give.


There is a bit of a mystery, a puzzle piece with a new character, very intriguing where this will go. I love the magick that is woven throughout the storyline . Nastasya has learnt a great deal about herself, but so have others and others want what she has......POWER!!


Cate Tiernan has written something very special with this series, the reader really ‘feels’ the emotions of being immortal, I found I am no longer naive to the ‘fluff’ of being immortal, there are consequences. This whole being immortal isn’t what it’s cracked up to be. It’s damn hard! It’s all about making the right choices. There is wrong and there is right. There is light and there is dark...which one would you choose?

Michelle

BOOK REVIEW - WOLF HOUSE by TIM O'ROURKE - KIERA HUDSON # 4.5 - NOVELLA

By : Tim O'Rourke
Published By: Tim O'Rourke
Released : Available Now, Amazon
Details: Ebook, 137 Pages

RATING : 5 SMOKIN' HOT, SMART MOUTHED POTTER STARS!

Book Blurb : Taken From Goodreads

As Potter leaves Kiera and his friends to go in search of Luke, he makes a lonely journey across the snow-capped mountains of Cumbria. Haunted by the death of Murphy, the capture of Luke and the love that he feels for Kiera, Potter reflects on his past life and the disturbing events that took place at the Wolf House.


He remembers his first encounter with the werewolves, how he had to save Murphy and Luke, and capture the serial killer who was murdering the children from the town of Little Hope.


“Wolf House” (Potter’s Story) is a novella length tale set between ‘Vampire Breed’ (Book Four) and ‘Vampire Hollows’ (Book Five) in the Kiera Hudson series.


Authors Note: Of all my characters, Kiera and Potter have been the most talked about. From the many emails that I receive – most want to know more about them.


The first four books in the Kiera Hudson Series are all from Kiera’s point of view and I think we know her well enough by now. But what about Potter? So for all the Potter fans that want to know more about him, here is his story.


“Wolf House” (Potter’s Story) A 30,000 word novella set between books four & five of the Kiera Hudson Series.


‘Vampire Hollows’ Book Five in the Kiera Hudson Series available January 2012.



BOOK REVIEW:



How clever has Tim written this novella? Tim, you are so good at your twists and things you weave into your story for the reader to discover the reason/answer to further down the track.


Apart from the fact that Mr Smart Mouth, Sean Potter himself stars in his own novella....yay!!! and we learn more about what makes Potter tick, Tim has put in some wonderful twists. When you think you know which way the story is heading...curve ball....


Personally, I love that Tim took the time to give us Potter’s story. I had been hoping we would get a Potter POV, just to get in his mind and see what has made him that cranky pants, smart mouthed, witty, hesitant, brave guy that I knew I would love after reading Vampire Shift. There is something wonderful about a male lead character that is flawed and not your typical male lead that can get under the skin of the reader and you just love him for all his flaws.


Potter doesn’t disappoint with his smart mouth in this novella. Ha!! the dialogue...and the...........


I realised how much I missed pipe smoking Murphy. It was good to pretend he was back amongst the living, even if it was back story woven through the novella.


You are going to be in for a treat with this Novella. It may not be a regular book size, but what Tim packs into these pages * raises eyebrows* ......you will be very surprised with what you discover...I know I was....several times over.


I’ll say it again, this is a very clever Novella, it made me love Potter even more. There are many layers to this boy and so much intelligence. I really am going to miss this series when all said and done. I am rather addicted!



FAVE QUOTES:


“.....I’d known guys who had spent a fortune on wining and dining and still never scored a home run!......”



“Look where you’re going next time, Mr F%$#@ Magoo!”



......”You do know what D.S. stands for, don’t you?”

“Dog shit?” I smiled back at him.



“You must be smacked up to your tits on drugs if you think I’m going to help you,” I barked. “I’d rather stick pins in my eyes.”



“Ready?” he asked.

“For what?” I shot back.

“I dunno. I’m just asking – are you ready?”

I glanced sideways at Madison and she shot me a quick look.

“Oh for crying out loud,” I groaned. “We’re not a bunch of five-year olds!”



I could pull some more quotes, but then that would be almost every time Potter opens his mouth...ha!

Michelle

BOOK REVIEW - CLOCKWORK PRINCE by CASSANDRA CLARE - THE INFERNAL DEVICES # 2

By: Cassandra Clare
Published By: Walker Books
Released : Available Now
Details : Paperback , 495 Pages

RATING : 4.5 EMOTIONAL JEM & WILL STARS!!

Book Blurb : Taken From Goodreads

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.


Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?
As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.



BOOK REVIEW:

“There once was a lass from New York

Who Found herself hungry in York,

But the bread was like rocks,

The parsnips shaped like -------“

Oh, Cassandra you had me giggling at this little ditty, it is quite witty.


Be still my heart! This book has me left with a gaping hole in my heart where I want a threesome and I don’t mean that in the naughty sense. I mean....well truly after reading this book Cassandra has left me wanting Will .....but so desperate not to hurt Jem. Jem is so happy and feeling better. This would have to be one of the best love triangles written that I have personally read. Tessa be damned if she does or doesn’t.


Will is never going to hurt Jem, he loves him too much. Tessa loves Jem but not like Will, I think we can all see that, but Jem was the early bird who got the worm, first dibs. He is now grinning from ear to ear. Every time I look at Jem on the book cover I want him to be happy and find the love he so deserves, but then Will deserves love too.


Darn it Cassandra , you got us to love both guys and then ...what? You have us under both boys skin ...... deep...emotionally.


Clockwork Prince was a lot lighter on the action which Cassandra normally displays throughout The Mortal Instruments and Clockwork Angel. This book is about emotion and does it drip. It may be looked upon as a bit slower paced for the first part, but we as the reader are getting to know what makes the boys tick ( no pun intended).


I loved that Cassandra gave us the opportunity to think higher of Henry. He wasn’t just the bumbling husband. We got a more 3D look into his character.


Oh the balcony scene was .........sigh......wonderful and lustful and hungry, quite exciting for the 1800’s.


I felt sad for the ‘little boy Will’ who had put up such a strong wall at such a young age, to show such selflessness when everybody can only see ‘the Will’ that he wants them to see. Knowing what they think of him on a daily basis and shrugging it off.


Bridget....ha! She is a hoot. Cassandra leaves me wanting to know a lot more about her. Her ability to sing a verse of a song from afar , behind closed doors that coincides with a scene...ha!


Sophie’s character is blooming before our eyes. I really like her.


I love all the little tasty morsels dropped like bread crumbs for the reader to pick up on and know we are not going to be getting any answers this book. It’s this trail of crumbs we keep picking up and popping away in the back of our mind. The little Clockwork Angel necklace that Nate says she must always wear, who/what is Tessa? The characters Tessa comes into contact with that leave her and us wondering about the comment they have just said to Tessa, but didn’t explain themselves.


I face planted my desk after finishing this book as I have a ridiculous amount of time to wait to find out more. This would have to be the worst countdown to Clockwork Princess,........ almost painful.



p.s. I still have to look up the word Sepulchral.



FAVE QUOTES:


When she turned to look at him, he smiled at her. Jem put the full force of himself into each smile, so that he seemed to be smiling with his eyes, his heart, his whole being.





“I can trust you, Jessie, but you’re clearly not well enough to go. Which is unfortunate, since Aloysius always had a weakness for a pretty face.”

“Even more reason why I should go ,” said Will.





“Trains are great dirty smoky things,” said Will. “You won’t like it.”

Tessa was unmoved. “I won’t know if I like it until I try it will I?”

“I’ve never swum naked in the Thames, but I know I wouldn’t like it.”



“Gracious, that’s a lot of bosom you’re showing,” Magnus went on blithely, gesturing toward Tessa with the burning tip of his cigar. 

 
"Finally broken down and admitted you're in love with me, have you? he inquired of Will. "I do enjoy these surprise midnight declarations."



"He's very pretty," said Woolsey. "For a human."
"He's very broken," said Magnus. "Like a lovely vase that someone has smashed. Only luck and skill can put it back together the way it was before."




She fell and spun and drowned in the kiss; his lips were soft and his body was hard against her, and he tasted like rain.


( ...*sigh*........)



Michelle

BOOK REVIEW - PRIDE by RACHEL VINCENT - THE SHIFTERS # 3

By: Rachel Vincent
Published By: MIRA
Released: Available Now
Details: Paperback from library, 553 Pages

RATING : 4.5 MALE WERECAT STARS!!!

Book Blurb : Taken From Goodreads

I'm on trial for my life. Falsely accused of infecting my human ex-boyfriend—and killing him to cover up the crime. Infecting a human is one of three capital offenses recognized by the Pride—along with murder and disclosure of our existence to a human.



I'm two for three. A goner.


Now we've discovered a rogue stray terrorizing the mountainside, hunting a wild teenage tabbycat. It's up to us to find and stop him before a human discovers us. With my lover Marc's help, I think I can protect the vulnerable girl from both the ambitious rogue and the scheming of the territorial council.


If I survive my own trial…

BOOK REVIEW:



Faythe sure is like the Pied Piper when it comes to trouble. It just follows her and then catches up to her with HUGE consequences.


Awwww, Faythe and Marc....these two characters have such strength between them that they will do what is necessary for the Pride at the cost of ‘them’. It does make your heart ache to see the once uber stubborn Faythe start to take control of her mistakes and she really does mature in this book.


Marc.....I really get him now. I always loved him, but when he and Jace had their smackdown...well ....I hoped there was more to Marc as I really like Jace, he’s gorgeous and funny. There is a lot of pain under Marc’s fur. I understand now how much inner strength being the Alpha’s assassin/interrogator, top Enforcer brings with it. It’s a huge job to be in charge of, on many levels. You really ‘feel’, Marc’s heart and sadness over Faythe and her stubbornness, her inability to think past what she could lose if she married Marc. Rather than what they as two werecats could gain.


The title ‘Pride’ means a couple things in this book. Another badass thick book which I devoured and want to rip into ‘Prey’.


I love the new characters that Rachel has brought to this book. We have a ‘Bruin’, yup! a bear shifter and I love him!! I bet he isn’t the last person picked for a team.


I am sniffing a little something in the air with Ethan and a certain someone. Granted the someone is young, but if Rachel hasn’t finished this series off with the young someone aged appropriate and Ethan and her eligible, then I would love a spinoff of Ethan and ?


I loved the way Ethan the lover of all females dropped to his knees in front of her. But! I haven’t finished this series so who knows?


I’m starting to see real Alpha material in Faythe now. I think Greg is a bit of a spunk , I am also getting the feeling that he is on the way out and Faythe will be on the way in.


I would really like to give Calvin Malone a ‘stinky dead fish ‘ slap,  he is grrrrrrr......manipulative and has his own agenda. He is a thorn in Faythe’s side.


The story really pumps along and I really enjoyed this book. Rachel has put in several ‘ewwwwww’, moments and some nice werecat ‘slashdowns’. Some of the characters are in need of some heavy duty painkillers. I am loving this series and highly recommend it.

Michelle

BOOK REVIEW - ROGUE by RACHEL VINCENT - THE SHIFTERS # 2

By: Rachel Vincent

Published By : MIRA

Released : Available Now

Details: Paperback from library , 377 Pages

RATING : 4.5 MANLY MARC STARS!

Book Blurb : Taken From Goodreads

Okay, so cats don't always land on their feet.

 I know that better than most.

Since rejoining the Pride, I’ve made big decisions and even bigger mistakes — the kind paid with innocent lives. As the first and only female enforcer, I have plenty to prove to my father, the Pride and myself. And with murdered toms turning up in our territory, I’m working harder than ever, though I always find the energy for a little after-hours recreation with Marc, my partner both on and off duty.

But not all my mistakes are behind me. We’re beginning to suspect that the dead are connected to a series of missing human women and that they can all be laid at my feet. And one horrible indiscretion may yet cost me more than I can bear…

BOOK REVIEW:

Strays are winding up dead,

Their necks no longer connected to the rest,

Female strippers are going missing,

Is there a pattern that is hidden?

Andrew, Faythe’s ex is calling her mobile,

Marc if he knew would fly of the handle,

She thinks nothing much of it,

Too late, she has dug a deep, deep pit.

Faythe is surrounded by smexi brothers,

There is also Jace and the others,

Faythe must come clean to her dad,

Marc overhears and is beyond mad.

She fears for what she may have lost,

For Marc it is too much,

Where does he stand in their relationship?

Will Faythe move on again in two and a half years away from him?

Faythe can partially shift,

Greg needs to see proof as Faythe is in deep shit,

Her life is on the line,

She has a hearing in eight weeks for her crimes.

Will she live or be sentenced to die?

Michelle



BOOK REVIEW - MY SOUL TO STEAL by RACHEL VINCENT - SOUL SCREAMERS # 4

By: Rachel Vincent
Published By : Harlequin Teen
Released : Available Now
Details : Paperback from library, 343 Pages

RATING: 5 STINKY DEAD FISH SLAPS FOR SABINE!!!

Book Blurb : Taken From Goodreads

Trying to work things out with Nash—her maybe boyfriend—is hard enough for Kaylee Cavanaugh. She can't just pretend nothing happened. But "complicated" doesn't even begin to describe their relationship when his ex-girlfriend transfers to their school, determined to take Nash back.

See, Sabine isn't just an ordinary girl. She's a mara, the living personification of a nightmare. She can read people's fears—and craft them into nightmares while her victims sleep. Feeding from human fear is how she survives.


And Sabine isn't above scaring Kaylee and the entire school to death to get whatever—and whoever—she wants.

 BOOK REVIEW:

I’m going to say it, how much fun is it hating Sabine? Oh she truly needed several ‘stinky dead fish’ slaps from me, but this is a good thing. How much did you ‘feel’ her manipulative ways in this book? Like REALLY FEEL how much you disliked her!

 I think I spent half this book upset with Nash and his close friendship with Sabine and half the book upset that Nash and Kaylee weren’t together. It made for a great read. I was like torn the whole time. The emotion you feel when reading this book makes the reader really feel a part of this book.

What Nash did to Kaylee in ‘My Soul To Keep’, was bad and quite inexcusable, but then awwwwww I found myself wanting to be there for Nash in this book. I just needed to boot Sabine out the way. Rachel has written Sabine very well!! Everytime Nash called her Bina I was feeling like Kaylee and Nash had no hope left.


Oh be still my heart from breaking when Sabine pointed out how Nash kept all her memories and sold only Kaylee’s...... this had me wondering about Nash......

 Rachel again, writes the Netherworld very well in this book and Avari is really having some fun. Well not fun at the expense of teachers, but he keeps weedling his way into the human world using whatever loop hole he can find, he really is on a mission to get Kaylee. He has major OCD with Kaylee. (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)

 I really like Alec, he is a great character who is still on the bad end of the stick, poor lovey. I want to know more about him. Get him a chicky babe.



Tod! Now if he doesn’t have some sort of uber crush on Kaylee, well then I am not reading this book very well. Tod is all protective and I am trying to decide if his helpfulness is to push Kaylee away from Nash for his benefit or because he knows Nash and what he is capable of, even though he has a rather complicated, to say the least relationship with Addy.

 Rachel, you have my brain juggling all these Nash and Tod scenarios.

 Kaylee and Nash’s relationship is it based on love the kind that will last the length of their long lives or is it two people that through their connection feel as though they should be together? There are big obstacles that Nash has to overcome to be trusted again and Sabine is a thorn in my side and Kaylee’s. How brash is Sabine? She just shows the boobies off and throws herself at Nash.

 I am torn between wanting to tell Nash off for being an idiot with Kaylee and telling him off for being an idiot with Sabine and telling Sabine off for just being an idiot with both of them.


If this book doesn’t light a fire in your belly then you are emotionless.

 This series is really getting fired up, I hope Rachel has kept it stoked for ‘If I Die’?



Doesn’t that title make you think?

Michelle

BOOK REVIEW - VAMPIRE BREED by TIM O'ROURKE - KIERA HUDSON # 4 - 5 FREAKING AWESOME STARS!!!

By : Tim O'ROURKE
Published By : Tim O'Rourke
Released : 6th December 2011
Details : Kindle Ebook

RATING : 5 SMEXI POTTER & KIERA STARS!!

Book Blurb : Taken From Goodreads

Kiera Hudson wakes to find herself imprisoned. Experiencing nightmares and visions, she slowly realises that she has been subjected to a series of sinister tests and operations. Addicted to blood and in pain, Kiera knows that if she is to survive she will need to escape from her cage. But who is the werewolf that secretly visits her during the night and can Kiera trust him? Where are her friends and why hasn’t Potter come to rescue her as he promised? With no word or message from Luke and Potter, she fears that they might be dead.  


But with only a chair and a book for comfort in her cage, can Kiera escape? And even if she does, what will she find on the other side of her cell walls?
 ‘Vampire Breed’ Book Four in the Kiera Hudson Series.


'Vampire Holllows' Book Five in the Kiera Hudson Series coming January 2012!
 

I just had to make this a really big cover for my review.

BOOK REVIEW:

Tim..Tim...Tim...what can I say but another AWESOME instalment in the Kiera Hudson series. I am totally sucked into his books when I am reading them that I so want to be an extra if these books ever got made into movies. Like seriously, I don’t care if I get raised in the air and my neck ripped open and I get flung across a car bonnet, and that is all I get to do ( well a close up would be cool..), I just want a part as they are so entertaining.


Vampire Breed comes with the twists, turns, spontaneity, smexi, the tension, gorey moments ( like Tim wouldn’t have some of those..duh!), the smart ass remarks, a bit of cranky pants, jealousy, experiments, oh and some awesome ranting and raving...ha!....., a crossbow, beloved children’s books ( oh yeah, why not), werewolves, vampires, doctors, a cell, a zoo........that’s all I am going to say.


Kiera is in it up to her eyeballs. As the reader we get to spend a bit of time with her one on one and you really get to ‘feel’ her isolation and pain. Kiera has really grown as a character and is a lot fiercer. I can’t wait to read what happens to her character in Vampire Hollows, the 5th book. No pressure Tim.....ha!


Oh I love my quotes and Potter does not fail me...bless that boy. The yelling matches Kiera and Potter have are hilarious. Oh there is one quote I so want to put in this review, but it would be spoiling, so I must zip it.


Now it would be remiss of me not to drool over the guy that has always caught my eye. I just knew from Vampire Shift that I was going to love Potter..... Mr Sean Potter...Team Potter. I have been a fan from the start and you don’t disappoint.


For all his smart ass comments, his cranky pants moods, there is something special about him. In this instalment I saw another side to Potter, a worried side. The boy has it bad and he is no longer surrounded by the 2 guys that he trusts most to have his back and to keep Kiera safe. He has the newbies, Isidor and Kayla that he must work with, who he needs to be able to rely on, and that frightens him. Potter may wear his cranky T-shirt, but it’s for a reason. He has lost those he cares for, who could read him like a book, no need to explain your next move and it’s payback time and he needs back up that’s not booing and hooing.


Well doesn’t Kayla have a change of heart.......rather hilarious!


I’m trying to decide if I like Jack Seth or not. I ‘feel’ that he is trying but...hmmm....I’m not sure yet. Maybe if I had been around to watch what he used to do, I may not want to give him a second chance.


I am truly having a hard time deciding which book is my fave in this series to-date. I love them all, but Vampire Hunt was my fave. Now, I have to put Vampire Breed equal with VH. I am being sentimental as I miss my three boys being together and VH was the book that had them on the mad rollercoaster ride.

Tim is still weaving that bit of mystery through Vampire Breed that keep us wanting to know what the deal is with Kiera's mum. What part does she play in all this?


I shall slip in, Tim gave me a little teeny dedication. I was his chip supplier, nothing like a vegemite flavoured chip and a meat pie flavoured chip to munch on while writing.


Thanks Tim I feel all spesh. I do enjoy our conversations from one pond to another. I’ve never had a book dedicated to me before, so that’s pretty cool.


I must mention the book cover. How gorgeous and muscle packed is that bod? Potter just has that look on his face.....he is rather perfect! I love how Kiera is holding on tight to her guy. My fave cover next to Vampire Shift. 

I’m going to say it again....I highly recommend this series, Tim nailed it again. It’s the best .99c per ebook you will spend!


This is one self published author that breaks the mould.....



FAVE QUOTES:


“Look, I hate to be the one to break it to you, sweetheart, but some spottyfaced arsehole called Sparky killed your mum, your father has probably topped himself because he helped Phillips come up with the magic formula that is going to wipe the human race from the face of the planet, and the dude standing over here next to me with the Shaggy-Do beard is your brother.”



“I wonder what’s down there?” I whispered.

“Why are you whispering?” Potter whispered back.

“Dunno,” I shrugged, and followed him down into the pitch black.

( ha! I can't help giggling when I read that quote, like why are they whispering...hee..hee...)



“That was the biggest mistake of my life, because that one kiss from you drove me out of my tiny freaking mind!”
 

And I thought you were being a stroppy-cow because you were struggling with how you felt about me,” he smiled.

Michelle

BOOK REVIEW - MY SOUL TO KEEP by RACHEL VINCENT - SOUL SCREAMERS # 3

By : Rachel Vincent
Published By : Harlequin Teen
Released: Available Now
Details: Paperback from library, 296 Pages

RATING: 5 NAUGHTY NASH STARS!!

Book Blurb : Taken From Goodreads

Kaylee has one addiction: her very hot, very popular boyfriend, Nash. A banshee like Kaylee, Nash understands her like no one else. Nothing can come between them.

Until something does.


Demon breath. No, not the toothpaste-challenged kind. The Netherworld kind. The kind that really can kill you. Somehow the super-addictive substance has made its way to the human world. But how? Kaylee and Nash have to cut off the source and protect their friends—one of whom is already hooked.


And so is someone else…


BOOK REVIEW:



Now this book was an awesome instalment in the Soul Screamers series.


Wow! Kaylee is having a lot emotionally thrown at her in this book.


Nash!! I can’t believe you did that! and you let that! happen and you didn’t stop that! from happening...you need a big slap from me as you were a bad, bad, boyfriend!


Man, oh Man! Rachel really had her fingers spewing forth a great story line in My Soul To Keep. Now I am getting why this series is so popular. I am about a third into ‘My Soul To Steal’ and it’s a really good book too.


I thought Kaylee had it very tough in this book and she was selfless. Did Nash even say thankyou?


Addy is paying dearly for her fame and fortune she fleetingly had. Was it worth it? Nope!


I like how Rachel writes the Netherworld, she is very clever with it.


I like the new character brought in, he may be around for a while?


I love Tod’s character. I sometimes feel like he is interested in Kaylee. I know Addison has his heart but, that’s kind of complicated.


Evil Avari is fun to see what he is going to get up to. He is a bit ewww in this book , a bit close for comfort.


Rachel had fun writing this book, lots of twists and dark moments. She gave a couple characters a pretty hard time. It made me realise why this series is so popular.

Michelle

BOOK REVIEW - MY SOUL TO SAVE by RACHEL VINCENT - SOUL SCREAMERS # 2

By : Rachel Vincent

Published By : Harlequin Teen

Released : Available Now

Details: Paperback from library, 279 Pages

RATING: 4 NETHERWORLD STARS!!!

Book Blurb : Taken From Goodreads

When Kaylee Cavanaugh screams, someone dies.

So when teen pop star Eden croaks onstage and Kaylee doesn't wail, she knows something is dead wrong. She can't cry for someone who has no soul.

The last thing Kaylee needs right now is to be skipping school, breaking her dad's ironclad curfew and putting her too-hot-to-be-real boyfriend's loyalty to the test. But starry-eyed teens are trading their souls: a flickering lifetime of fame and fortune in exchange for eternity in the Netherworld—a consequence they can't possibly understand.
Kaylee can't let that happen, even if trying to save their souls means putting her own at risk….

BOOK REVIEW

Addison Page loves the stage,

Eden died to have ‘The Life’,

Their souls sold to a Hellion,

For fame, fortune and an auditorium.

Libby the reaper is from Special Projects,

Her job to inhale and dispose of Demon’s Breath,

This is all the soulless have left,

It’s in their contract they signed upon their death.

Addy is Tod’s ex,

He knows the date in advance of her death,

Tod needs Nash and Kaylee's help to set things right,

He won’t lose Addy without a fight.

Tod will do anything to keep Addy alive,

Unfortunately Kaylee could die,

The Netherworld is a dangerous place,

Crimson Creeper could be her fate.

The moral of this story

Don’t sell your soul for fame and glory,

Read your contract with a lawyer,

Or to the Netherworld you will go for eternity to be tortured.

Michelle

BOOK REVIEW - SMOULDER by BRENNA YOVANOFF

By: Brenna Yovanoff
Published By : Simon & Schuster
First Released : 15th November 2011
Details : Paperback,  363 Pages

Received Paperback from Publisher for review, Thankyou!

RATING : 4.5 SAD TRUMAN STARS!!

Book Blurb : Taken From Goodreads

Being the youngest daughter of the Devil has never been easy. Daphne's father has no time for her, her mother no interest, and her status in the upper echelon separates her from the working-class demons that populate Lucifer's metropolis. When her brother and only confidante goes missing, life in the restrictive city of Pandemonium becomes intolerable. Now, in an attempt to find him, Daphne sets out for Earth - and finds it larger and more chaotic than she imagined: a dazzling expanse of noise, dirt and random violence. Despite her bewilderment, she navigates the mortal world with growing fascination, gaining an ally when she saves a dying boy from her father's minions.  


For Truman Flynn, the last year has been one long downward spiral, but when Daphne arrives just in time to save his life, he finds himself unexpectedly glad to have another chance. Together, Daphne and Truman go in search of her brother, braving the hazards of Las Vegas and the perils of first love, even as it becomes increasingly clear that her brother might have had a secret and compelling reason for leaving. Lucifer's agents aren't the only creatures on the prowl, and Daphne soon finds herself the target of a plan to rid the world of demons for good. Now she must evade a demon-eating monster, rescue her brother from an angelic zealot, and save the boy she loves from his greatest enemy - himself.

BOOK REVIEW:

I have been sitting here staring at the blank page trying to get my words right for this review. It’s not often I am left like this.


‘Smoulder’ or the other title of this book is ‘The Space Between’, is a dark tale that is quite sad and a little gruesome in parts. I sometimes wondered if this book was for the older end of the YA genre due to the use of ‘The Sorrowful Mysteries.’


Brenna Yovanoff has truly written a book that has a lot of emotion but at the same time the characters, Truman and Daphne, have almost no emotion for life. Let me explain this better.

Daphne lives in Pandemonium, part of Hell. She isn’t a girlie, girl. She likes the things Obie brings her that are earth things, but she is from Hell. She has metal dogteeth and does not want to end up like her sisters. Her good friend Beezelbub has a swarm of flies around his head at all times.


Truman lives on Earth and is living in his own hell. He lives with his step father, his mother is dead. Truman’s character is suicidal. He has given up. He just wants to drown his life in alcohol to take away his ability to feel. If he sleeps he gets visited by a shadow man who talks to him. He tries not to sleep, it’s easier on him.


Obie is Daphne’s brother. The two of them are more alike than the rest of the sisters. Obie is the only boy in the family and he just doesn’t fit the mould for a demon in hell. There is a good, caring side to him.


Enter Truman.


Through Obie and Truman's connection , Daphne has a starting point to find Obie who has gone missing.


Lilith who is Obie and Daphne’s mother, has an interesting way of being able to talk to Daphne when she needs to.


Moloch is a demon who I really liked. He is intelligent and thoughtful, he gives Daphne the help she asks of him.


It’s kind of odd but you forget that they are demons and should be feared.


There are some great twists in this book. I am leaving out one particular character that was quite a shock. It also involves a cardboard box. And another character that is important to the story line.

I like the chapter titles. I also liked the countdown. I was the whole time wondering what to..????


To me the characters have great charm and appeal but in a dark way. This is not a light story, but it’s not too heavy. Sometimes the story felt quirky, I struggled to find a happiness, in this book. I really didn’t realise what I was in for. The pace of the story did slow down a little at times, but then Brenna would come back and hit me with something gruesome and I was back in the saddle.


Visually, Brenna really does paint a picture in your mind with her words, some scenes spoke to the reader very well.


Both Truman and Daphne have to learn emotion. Whether it be where they were born or what happened to them in their young life that tore the emotion away from them, love is something lost to them, an emotion not felt. Yet these two characters are drawn to each other through circumstance, but........it’s never too late to learn.



This is a stand-alone book, you get a start, a middle and a finish.

...THE END.

FAVE QUOTES :

“All my life, I've understood the nature of where I come from, but I never thought I might be wicked until now.”

“You asked about love. I don't know about love, Daphne. I just know I don't want anything but you. I don't want to be anywhere but with you.”

Michelle

BOOK REVIEW - AT GRAVE'S END by JEANIENE FROST - NIGHT HUNTRESS # 3

By: Jeaniene Frost
Published By : Avon Books
Released : Available Now
Details: Paperback from library, 342 Pages

RATING : 5 JF BLEW THIS STORY OUT OF THE WATER STARS!!!

Book Blurb : Taken From Goodreads


It should be the best time of half-vampire Cat Crawfield's life. With her undead lover Bones at her side, she's successfully protected mortals from the rogue undead. But though Cat's worn disguise after disguise to keep her true identity a secret from the brazen bloodsuckers, her cover's finally been blown, placing her in terrible danger.

As if that wasn't enough, a woman from Bones's past is determined to bury him once and for all. Caught in the crosshairs of a vengeful vamp, yet determined to help Bones stop a lethal magic from being unleashed, Cat's about to learn the true meaning of bad blood. And the tricks she's learned as a special agent won't help her. She will need to fully embrace her vampire instincts in order to save herself—and Bones—from a fate worse than the grave.

lovxxe Deviant Art

lovxxe Deviant Art

BOOK REVIEW:



Well didn’t Jeaniene Frost let it all fly in this installment in the Night Huntress series.

Yehhaaaaa!!! 

At Grave’s End brings the smexi, not as hot to trot as One Foot In The Grave, Chapter 32!! But seriously, how is that ever going to be topped?

Well, who knows it may be topped, not that I will be complaining. What? Do you know how hard it would be to write uber, uber, uber, smexi scenes?

JF she has IT!!!

Bones, Cat and her team are working hard to get rid of one bad vampire, at a time. Cat is using herself as bait; disguising herself, she is getting a reputation as the ‘Red Reaper’ and being recognized too easily, which is turning dangerous. Time to find a new piece of bait to help take down these bad guys. But can this bait be trusted?

Note to self : Don’t peeve off Max, OMG!! and Max is peeeeevvved with Cat. It ain’t pretty.

I do feel for Tate. It must be very hard to be in love with somebody you can’t have, yet you don’t give up. Seriously dude, Bones and Cat aren’t going to leave each other unless one of them turns to ashes and the other is zipped up nice and snug in a body bag. But you won’t give in. Yet , when the cards are all dealt and Bones needs somebody he knows will put Cat’s safety before anything else, he shoves Cat at Tate with the orders to protect.

A very funny moment, I totally felt Bones’s joy, ha!! It involves, Justina.

Oh , Tate and Cat... on the job, of course, but ... OH MY. The things one must do when undercover .

Mencheres is an interesting Master Vampire. I really like him, but even the best of them let a woman rule their emotions and the line between right and wrong blurs. Mencheres doesn’t appear scary the way Cat talks to him, but I don’t think I would attempt to think or talk to him the way she does.

I love Spade/Charles, there is just something so loyal about him.

OH MY... one assignment at Marquis Bar, I won’t say what type of bar, but it is one of my fave scenes. I’ll give a hint it has to do with their clothes.

Hehe.

...and then Vlad enters the story.

I loved seeing a vulnerable side to Bones, he was a nervous boy. 

I love the dialogue/banter between Bones and Justina; Bones and Tate; and Bones and Vlad. Great fun reading.

Oh and Juan, you are such a honey, cheeky, mischievous and loyal to your soul. You just have to ask and he will do it, no hesitating, if it is for the good.

JF certainly gets very creative with her writing. I was most impressed with where she took me in this installment. This is a fast paced, throw everything that you can at these guys book and a rather eeeeepppppppp moment. I did wonder how you could top book 2... now I know.


At Grave’s End is seriously a great rollercoaster ride, you have your arms waving in the air and you are screaming in parts and in others you are trying to hold on to your lunch.


Now, I wonder how JF is going to top book 3, I can’t wait to read ‘Destined For An Early Grave’.

Michelle

BLOG TOUR # 6 - BOOK REVIEW - TOUCH by JUS ACCARDO - DENAZEN #1

By: Jus Accardo
Published By: Entangled Publishing
Released : Available Now
Details: Digital Book , 264 Pages
Source: Entangled Publishing ebook in exchange for an honest review.

RATING : 4 KALE & SHELTIE STARS!!

When a strange boy tumbles down a river embankment and lands at her feet, seventeen-year-old adrenaline junkie Deznee Cross snatches the opportunity to piss off her father by bringing the mysterious hottie with ice blue eyes home.


Except there’s something off with Kale. He wears her shoes in the shower, is overly fascinated with things like DVDs and vases, and acts like she’ll turn to dust if he touches her. It’s not until Dez’s father shows up, wielding a gun and knowing more about Kale than he should, that Dez realizes there’s more to this boy—and her father’s “law firm”—than she realized.

Kale has been a prisoner of Denazen Corporation—an organization devoted to collecting “special” kids known as Sixes and using them as weapons—his entire life. And, oh yeah, his touch? It kills. The two team up with a group of rogue Sixes hellbent on taking down Denazen before they’re caught and her father discovers the biggest secret of all. A secret Dez has spent her life keeping safe.


A secret Kale will kill to protect.


BOOK REVIEW:



I really enjoyed Touch and am looking forward to Toxic, book 2 and Kale’s Novella.


I enjoyed Deznee’s character, I like her name. It was a different name to see in the YA Genre.


Dez is a bit of a wild child, she is rough around the edges, it appears at first , but then you begin to see more of her and what makes her tick. She is a smart cookie and no matter who is playing her, she does wisen up even though she has to pull a Nancy Drew and try to work out what her father’s real day job is.


Dad, oh he is a piece of work. I think as a parent I have trouble trying to believe that he can issue the orders that he does on children. I do like how Jus has written him, as the reader you really do loathe the man. You keep hoping he is misunderstood, that he isn’t doing what he is at Denazen...but I’m afraid he is.


Brandt, Dez’s cousin and bff, early in the book we get a bit of him, enough to understand that he will do pretty much anything Dez asks of him. They have a close friendship and Dez accepts all of Brandt’s flaws. I really like Brandt.


Alex Mojourn, at first I thought of him as a bit of a creep, but then...well ....I really began to understand him, not agree with him, he hasn't had the best life himself, but you become old enough to know right from wrong...... I can’t say anymore.


Kale, isn’t he a most gorgeous character. I love his naivety of the little things that we all take for granted. When you have been locked away , used, mentally abused, made to do things your whole life.......it’s the little things that are such a joy to him.


I felt sad that he had to learn to trust. He had Sueshanna inside Denazen, but outside, who do you trust when you are running for your life and ‘Big Brother’= Denazen = Dez’s Dad is watching you? He can find you. He seems to have eyes = spies floating about.


This book has betrayal, lust, love, heartache, some nice twists, people flipping sides, and a bunch of Sixes that want to bring Denazen down......


I thought the story really got pumping in the second half and all sorts of skeletons came out of the closet. I think the title of book two , Toxic, could be quite apt.

I'm really looking forward to seeing where Jus takes us with this series.

Michelle