BOOK REVIEW - MISBEHAVING by ABBI GLINES - SEA BREEZE # 6 - SIMON & SCHUSTER - NEW ADULT CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

By: Abbi Glines

Published By : Simon & Schuster

Released : Available Now

Details: Paperback from publisher for honest review, 316 Pages

RATING: 4.5 LOVE IS IN THE AIR STARS!

Blurb: Goodreads

An unexpected affair leads to mind-blowing harmony in this Sea Breeze novel from New York Times bestselling author Abbi Glines.

Jason is sick of living in his rock star brother’s shadow. So when he ships off to Sea Breeze, Alabama, he’s looking for a much deserved escape and a chance to blow off some envious steam. Falling for the local bad girl was definitely not the plan. But as the new duo enjoys some naughty fun in the Alabama sun, Jason learns that even though Jax is the musician in the family, he’s not the only brother who can rock someone’s world.


BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

With all Abbi Glines new adult reads you are gonna get angst, heart ache, beautiful lads, beautiful gals and a HEA.

I LOVE reading an instalment in the Sea Breeze series because you are guaranteed all of the above, plus a quick read. They are like my go to books when I want to just escape into the lives of a group of friends and the trouble they can get themselves into with love.

Cage and Eva would be my faves to-date, maybe because I got two books in their lives and I got to go deeper.

Jason and Jess are from opposite sides of the track, much like his brother Jax Stone and Sadie.

What I loved about Jason and Jess’s book is her character had it tough, she has sass and she stood up for herself under numerous situations. I may not have liked her all that much when she popped up in previous books, but I grew too really like her once I understood her.

Jason finally gets a girl that is into him as much as he is into her, even if it takes three quarters of a book for him to realize. Jason doesn’t do relationships and he has a bit of learning to do along the way.

I have to admit at one stage I was yelling at Jason, ‘Don’t you do it!’ With Abbi’s male characters, ya never can tell if they will do it!

“Don’t mess it up for me. Because I’d hurt him for you. And in the end you’d hurt me.”

Krit, you man-whore-rock star, I so can’t wait to read your book next.

Michelle

BOOK REVIEW - KING HALL by SCARLETT DAWN - FOREVER EVERMORE # 1 - ESCAPE PUBLISHING - YA PARANORMAL ROMANCE

By : Scarlett Dawn
Published By: Escape Publishing
Released: Available Now
Details: 

RATING: 3.5 EZRA STARS!

Blurb: Goodreads

A fresh, meaty, sink-your-teeth-in-and-hold-on-tight new adult fantasy series kicks off with King Hall…

King Hall — where the Mysticals go to learn their craft, get their degrees, and transition into adulthood. And where four new Rulers will rise and meet their destinies.

Lily Ruckler is adept at one thing: survival. Born a Mystical hybrid, her mere existence is forbidden, but her nightmare is only about to start. Fluke, happenstance, and a deep personal loss finds Lily deeply entrenched with those who would destroy her simply for existing — The Mystical Kings. Being named future Queen of the Shifters shoves Lily into the spotlight, making her one of the most visible Mysticals in the world. But with risk comes a certain solace — her burgeoning friendships with the other three Prodigies: a wicked Vampire, a wild-child Mage, and a playboy Elemental. Backed by their faith and trust, Lily begins to relax into her new life.

Then chaos erupts as the fragile peace between Commoners and Mysticals is broken, and suddenly Lily realises the greatest threat was never from within, and her fear takes on a new name: the revolution.

BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

When a book starts with sex education and regular bananas and extra-large bananas and we are informed from the word go that Commoners, aka coms, aka humans, are regular banana sized and Mysticals are well endowed, much more so than a male Commoner, it made me look at the male Mysticals in this book in a new light.

What?

The bar was set.

I couldn’t help thinking that Ezra and Jack and Felix had an extra-large donger.

Mysticals are very sexual beings we have this explained to us. I did think from the get go with all this sexual talk that the book was going to possibly go into more detail, but I can report this is a very clean read. I think there was more of a tease going on. Not that there is anything wrong with that. I would probably put this book in YA genre. I know the blurb states New Adult but it simply didn't read like a NA read.

Rambling to the front of the room, Mrs Fowler sat the basket on her desk and dug into it. She cleared her throat, lifting an extra-large banana high into the air. “Mysticals are naturally more endowed than Commoners.” With her other hand, she raised a regular sized banana, holding them side-by-side. Point made.

I really liked the dynamics between the four future kings and queens. Ezra would be my fave, he would be the uber sexy future Vampire King. Pearl is the future Queen Mage and Jack is the future Elemental King.

Lily is our female lead and she is a very likable character. I liked her friendship with Ezra the most.

I am trying to be careful with what I say about story line so ...that is all I can say.

I did enjoy the current Kings and their process of training and teaching the future Kings and Queens. They did like to amuse themselves.

I would like to see more of Broderick Dressler, he was only in King Hall for a blink of an eye, but I kinda liked him.

I really enjoyed the couple twists I felt that grabbed me, in King Hall.

This review is a hard one to write because although I enjoyed King Hall and its characters and I can see from Goodreads how much the majority really loved it, I felt it was a good start to this series. I felt there were parts of the story line that jumped about a bit and some parts that were for me personally, slow and not necessary and a bit drawn out.

I think for a paranormal read I would have liked a bit more action and I am at a bit of a loss as to why they kept getting attacked. I think I needed parts fleshed out more for me personally. Sometimes I may have felt like story line was just there. If that makes sense? I think it came down to more meat in the sanga for me or I would have rated it a lot higher. There is action, but...

I could say more here but I won’t. A lot of readers absolutely loved this book. I am in a reasonable sized minority, ( Goodreads only) who didn't five or four star it . I liked it but I wanted to love it.

This review is just my one personal opinion.

I have been intrigued to read this series for some time now. I started King Hall a while back but got busy so I had to put it down. I am so ever glad I got to finally read it. I will definitely be reading King Cave. 

I'm expecting BIG things from King Cave after watching the trailer below.

Michelle

BOOK REVIEW - PROMISED by JODI ELLEN MALPAS - ONE NIGHT # 1 - ADULT CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE - GRAND CENTRAL PUBLISHING

By: Jodi Ellen Malpas

Published By: Grand Central Publishing

Released : Available Now

Details: Paperback from library, 402 Pages

RATING: 4.5 MILLER STARS!

Blurb: Goodreads

Livy notices him the moment he walks into the coffee shop. He's heart-stoppingly stunning, with a blue-eyed gaze so piercing she's almost too distracted to take his order. When he walks out the door, she thinks she'll never see him again. Then she finds the note he left on his napkin . . . signed M.

All he wants is one night to worship her. No feelings, no commitment, nothing but pleasure. Every defense mechanism Livy has adopted during her solitary life is at risk of being obliterated by this confounding man. He's obnoxious but well-mannered. He's a gentleman but aloof. He's passionate but emotionless. Yet the fascination is so powerful, Livy can't deny him... or herself.

M awakens something in Livy, something deep and addictive that she never knew existed -- and that she fears only he can satisfy. But she senses that behind the fast cars, fancy suits, and posh apartment, he's aching inside. To have him, body and soul, she'll have to brave his dark secrets. Delving into his world and breaking down his defenses become her obsession - an obsession that could shatter her heart beyond repair.


BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

This beautiful, pure girl has fallen in love with the big bad wolf.

This is my first JEM read. I haven’t started with This Man. I think it was only because my library catered to this series, so I went with it first.

I know everybody goes Barney Bananas for the This Man series. I am even more intrigued now to read it now that I have had a taste of JEM’s writing.

Livy has her secrets.

Miller ( Love his name) has his secrets. He is mysterious and you had better look at him when you answer his questions. He is a little OCD that way. It is the first time I have read a Miller in a book.

Big tick for name originality.

Miller is very sexual.

*Fans oneself * 

He wants to worship Livy when they can both be on the same page. There is a lot of running and chasing and sexing.

Miller is very delicious and eccentric with his ways.

He likes to thing.

I had my theories when reading and I was somewhat correct, but I still got a very powerful WT at the end of this book.

I think my fave part was the last few chapters.

This is a gradually paced read. I kept turning the pages because I knew JEM was an awesome writer and I wanted to know. I had something pegged from fairly early in and I have to read the second book to see if I am correct. Luckily I have it in my hot little grabby, grabby hands.

I think this book is certainly worth those last few chapters that really make the story plot POP!

LIKE IT POPPED!

I really like Gran and George. They are a fun asset to the story line. I think at one stage George was a little bit gobsmacked with Livy and her dress.

I think what I took most from this book, my first JEM read, was how visual her male character is in my mind. The little things she does to tweak his character. Also, the way Livy would inner monologue on Miller and her understandings of his eccentricity.

I really can’t wait to meet Jesse Ward now. I read this book without being aware of Mr Ward. It made reading about Miller without prejudices or comparisons to the infamous Mr Ward.

Apparently I’m going to be ruined once I meet him.

Michelle

BOOK REVIEW - WAIT FOR YOU by J LYNN - WAIT FOR YOU # 1 - NEW ADULT CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE - HARPER COLLINS

By: J Lynn

Published By: Harper Collins

Released : Available Now

Details : Paperback from library, 389 Pages

RATING: 4.5 SHIRTLESS CAM STARS!

Blurb: Goodreads

Some things are worth waiting for…

Traveling thousands of miles from home to enter college is the only way nineteen-year-old Avery Morgansten can escape what happened at the Halloween party five years ago—an event that forever changed her life. All she needs to do is make it to her classes on time, make sure the bracelet on her left wrist stays in place, not draw any attention to herself, and maybe—please God—make a few friends, because surely that would be a nice change of pace. The one thing she didn’t need and never planned on was capturing the attention of the one guy who could shatter the precarious future she’s building for herself.

Some things are worth experiencing…
Cameron Hamilton is six feet and three inches of swoon-worthy hotness, complete with a pair of striking blue eyes and a remarkable ability to make her want things she believed were irrevocably stolen from her. She knows she needs to stay away from him, but Cam is freaking everywhere, with his charm, his witty banter, and that damn dimple that’s just so… so lickable. Getting involved with him is dangerous, but when ignoring the simmering tension that sparks whenever they are around each other becomes impossible, he brings out a side of her she never knew existed.

Some things should never be kept quiet…
But when Avery starts receiving threatening emails and phone calls forcing her to face a past she wants silenced, she’s has no other choice but to acknowledge that someone is refusing to allow her to let go of that night when everything changed. When the devastating truth comes out, will she resurface this time with one less scar? And can Cam be there to help her or will he be dragged down with her?

And some things are worth fighting for…


BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

Cam...CAMERON HAMILTON! Please stand up!

Yes! You. You fun, gorgeous book boyfriend.

Cameron is all kinds of things a girl would trip over herself to fall in love with. He is cheeky, adorable, oh-so-sexy, he has a secret, he is determined, he is flawed... back to oh-so-sexy.

Avery Morgansten has a deep and terrifying secret. As the reader we can do the math. But then you got that added OH-DEAR-LORD-YOU-POOR-THING, twist.

Cam and Avery’s worlds collide...like literally, she collides into him.

Sweet baby Jesus, Blue Eyes was...

He was gorgeous in all the ways that made girls do stupid things. He was tall, a good head or two taller than me, and broad at the shoulders, but tapered at the waist. An athlete’s body—like a swimmer’s. Wavy black hair toppled over his forehead, brushing matching eyebrows. Broad cheekbones and wide, expressive lips completed the package created for girls to drool over. And with those sapphire-colored eyes, holy moly...

Who thought a place named Shepherdstown would be hiding someone who looked like this?

I KNOW!!!

There is much wooing, baking and egg making to be had.

“Well to be honest, I was planning to woo you with my banana nut bread, but that shit ain’t happening now. So all I have left is my delicious eggs.”

I took a bite of the cheesy goodness. “It is really good, but you’re not wooing me.”

“ Oh, I’m wooing.” He opened up the fridge and grabbed a bottle of OJ. Pouring two glasses, he sat one in front of me. “ It’s just all about the stealth. You don’t realize it yet.”

*siiiggghhh*

Cam is the reformed bad boy. He is lovin’ on Avery.

BUT!!

Avery has her debilitating secrets she keeps hidden.

Will this ruin their friendship?

Well you are going to have to read!

The #1.5 Trust In Me, is from Cameron’s pov and even though I know the story already, I feel like I must take a peek and have a read.

It is CAM!

Be With Me is next on my list before I get onto Cam’s pov, I think I need to forget some of this story line first. I will let Teresa ( Cam’s sister ) and Jase ( Cam’s buddy) tell me their story first.

An easy to read, fun story about love and a book boyfriend who just makes you go nawwww...and also those secrets that lurk in the background.

Michelle

BOOK REVIEW - UNMARKED by KAMI GARCIA - THE LEGION # 2 - YA PARANORMAL - SIMON & SCHUSTER

By: Kami Garcia

Published By: Simon & Schuster

Released : Available Now

Details: Paperback from library, 382 Pages

RATING: 3.75 STARS!

Blurb: Goodreads

The heart-pounding sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller, Unbreakable, by New York Times bestselling Beautiful Creatures co-author Kami Garcia.

He is here... and he could be anyone.

Kennedy Waters lives in a world where vengeance spirits kill, ghosts keep secrets, and a demon walks among us–a demon she accidentally set free.

Now Kennedy and the other Legion members–Alara, Priest, Lukas, and Jared–have to hunt him down. As they learn more about the history of the Legion and the Illuminati, Kennedy realizes that the greatest mystery of all does not belong to any secret order, but to her own family. With the clock ticking and the life of someone she loves hanging in the balance, Kennedy has to ask the question she fears most: what is it about her past that has left her Unmarked?

BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

I enjoyed this installment in The Legion series. For me personally it wasn’t as good as Unbreakable, I felt like the story had less action, which you would expect more of.

I didn’t connect as well with all the characters this time round. I really loved Lucas and Jared and Priest in Unbreakable, but something felt a little less from them for me personally, in this book. 

I liked the bad-boy-geek glimpse we got of a friend of Alara's. I would like to see more of him.

I still enjoyed reading this book, but I felt like I lost some of the connection I made with Jared and Lucas, Priest, Alara and Kennedy. I felt that Elle is really only along for the ride for a bit of a love interest, even though we got a little twist.

I did enjoy the new characters brought into this instalment. I think that it made sense to bring them in as they are more knowledgeable and this group of Scooby Doo style gang were still bumbling about a bit with their knowledge of their forefathers.

I think I needed this second instalment to be tighter in plot and reasons for what was happening.

I did like the couple of twists. I have to admit it was predictable Kennedy’s father coming into the picture, but I’m really liking Dimitri and Gabriel. I think it was a smart move introducing them and it gave me that surprise I had been waiting for while reading. 

I didn’t really feel like I got a lot out of this sequel. I felt like we moved sideways, rather than forwards in story line. There were some really great things revealed to the reader that helped with the direction this series is going in. I thought they were great twists.

Andras, the demon of all demons, isn’t really that frightening considering the threat he is to all humanity. I want more evil from him, more convincing of his value in this series. I know he had his evil way with seventeen young girls, but as a character we see in front of us and what he is doing...not so much.

I look forward to seeing how Kami handles the next instalment.

Michelle

BOOK REVIEW - RUSH TOO FAR by ABBI GLINES - TOO FAR # 4 - SIMON & SCHUSTER - ATRIA BOOKS - NEW ADULT CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

By: Abbi Glines

Published By: Simon & Schuster , Atria Books

Released: Available Now

Details : Paperback from publisher for honest review, 242 Pages

RATING: 4.5 RUSH YOU MAKE ME FLUSH STARS!

Blurb: Goodreads

Fallen Too Far was Blaire's story. Now it's time for Rush to share his side.

Everyone in Rosemary Beach thinks they know how Rush Finlay and Blaire Wynn fell in love. But Rush is back to tell his side of the story...

Rush has earned every bit of his bad-boy reputation. The three-story beach house, luxury car, and line of girls begging for time between his sheets are the envy of every guy in Rosemary Beach, and Rush handles it all with the laid-back cool of a rock star’s son. All he needs are his best friend, Grant, and his sister, Nan.

Until Blaire Wynn drives into town in her beat-up pickup truck with a pistol under her seat. The Alabama farm girl instantly captures Rush’s attention once he discovers that the angelic beauty is his new stepsister, but he vows to keep his distance. Even if she needs his help. Even if he craves her.

Because Rush knows why Blaire is all alone in the world, forced to ask for help from the father who abandoned her three years ago. And he knows if he gets too close it will destroy Nan, who has a secret connection to Blaire.

He has every reason in the world to stay away from her. Find out why he doesn’t.

BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

The regret in my chest would be my only companion in bed tonight.

I do LOVE Rush Finlay. He is possessive and wants to protect those that are in his inner circle. His inner circle is not very big.

Most of us who have read the Too Far series have a Rush Crush.

Having already read Fallen Too Far, we know Blaire’s side of how they met and the shenanigans that were Rush Finlay, but being in his head was still a great ride.

OO, he is so sexy!

Blaire is the innocent, who falls in deep with Rush only to be ... well, you know if you have read the previous books.

Nan, even through Rush’s eyes is still a great, annoyingly twisted sister set out to cause a bit of trouble and drop a few crocodile tears along the way. Abbi does write her very well.

I really enjoyed being in Rush’s head for a whole book, he’s a really popular character who is extra uber sexy when we are in his head and knowing what he is really thinking when he is looking at Blaire. I loved his moments with Grant and his claim on Blaire.

Another Abbi G book I devoured quickly with a few more on my shelf still to catch up on.

I am looking forward to One More Chance, which is next on my list.

Michelle

LOVE THIS COVER!!!

BOOK REVIEW - SOMETIMES IT LASTS by ABBI GLINES - SEA BREEZE # 5 - NEW ADULT CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE - SIMON & SCHUSTER

By: Abbi Glines
Published By: Simon & Schuster 
Released : Available Now
Details: Paperback from publisher for honest review, 268 Pages

RATING: 5 CAGE STARS!

Blurb: Goodreads

Cage York has to choose between a love of the game and a love of the girl in this sultry Sea Breeze novel from New York Times bestselling author Abbi Glines.

After waiting for his big break, bad boy Cage York is finally called up to prove his worth in the college baseball arena. But when Cage’s girlfriend, Eva, mourns the sudden loss of her father, it’s not Cage’s comforting arms she runs to, but those of her former fiancé’s twin brother, Jeremy.

Torn between his baseball dream and the girl of his dreams, Cage must prove he’s worthy of Eva’s love, or risk losing her to Jeremy forever.


BOOK REVIEW by Michelle :

She was my home.

Dayum!

I absolutely LOVED reading another book with Cage and Eva. For me personally, this is the best book in the Sea Breeze series to-date that I have read.

I loved being in Cages head and knowing more, but also hearing his vulnerability.

What happens when life separates Cage and his Eva?

Shiz happens!

Although so far the Sea Breeze series has been a light, but sexy read for me, I found this instalment to really capture me and had me rooting for Cage, no matter how much I was all nawwww for Jeremy. I am sure Jeremy is waiting in the wings for his HEA.

It was only EVER Cage.

But, Ms Glines sure shook up the sweet cookie jar and gave Eva and Cage a relationship shake up.

I loved watching Cage win his Eva back. I could see him so clearly in my mind.

The villain side to this story was very well played. I wanted to nut the guilty party.

Well done Ms Glines.

I am looking forward to more from these two, because we have a little unfinished business. ;)

“It’s time we start our always, Eva.”

I turned to face him. I stood on my tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his lips. Then I whispered, “We already have. We’ve been working on our always since you walked into my world with a cocky swagger and a smile.”

Michelle

BOOK REVIEW - JUST FOR NOW by SEA BREEZE # 4 - NEW ADULT CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

By: Abbi Glines

Published By : Simon & Schuster, Atria

Released: Available Now

Details: Paperback from publisher for honest review, 307 Pages

RATING: 4.25 PRESTON STARS!

Blurb: Goodreads

The day Preston Drake figured out that wealthy women paid well for a set of tight abs and a pretty face his life turned around.

The run down rat-infested trailer he had shared with his alcoholic mother and three younger siblings was now only a place he visited to pay the bills and stock the pantry with food.

He no longer worried about his family starving or living without electricity. The money he made entertaining rich older women more than covered his family’s needs and his own. He had it all figured out. Except…

There was this girl.

She was as innocent as he was tainted.

Amanda Hardy wished her knees didn’t get weak when Preston walked into a room. She hated the fact her heart raced when he flashed his smile in her direction. He had a different girl in his bed every night. He was the kind of boy a smart girl ran from. So, why was she coming up with ways to get close to him? Even when it was obvious he wanted to keep her at a distance.

Maybe her heart knew something the world didn’t. Maybe Preston Drake was more than just a pretty face.


BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

One day someone will come along and you’ll change for her. 

She’ll be the one you can’t live without, and she’ll be more important than anyone else.

Preston the Gigolo and Amanda the sister of Marcus, this relationship was going to have its troubles, and it did.

I really liked Preston in Just For Now, he really grew on me. The things he does to keep his siblings fed and healthy while his mother is not worthy of the title.

Oh, the things he does with Cougars to keep himself out of the trailer, but these things are never going to be a good thing in the long run.

Amanda has been crushing on Preston, she has no idea of his extra-curricular activities neither does his close friends. Preston is keeping a big secret. I couldn’t help love him for wanting to keep Jimmy, Brent and Daisy as safe as he could manage considering.

The only thing that had me going WT!! Was something that happened near the end that was the solution to something and it felt too quick and not fleshed out considering what it was. It brought my rating down because it felt rushed and a quick fix. I would have been more endeared to this solution if the other characters involved had been brought into play much earlier giving the reader a valid reaction to this solution. It’s a pretty big gift to give, considering what it is and not one that should be weighed in a few pages.

All in all, another enjoyable read in the Sea Breeze series. I keep coming back for more. They aren’t really deep reads, but all the same enjoyable.

Michelle

BOOK REVIEW - WILD THINGS by CHLOE NEILL - CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES # 9 - ADULT PARANORMAL ROMANCE - NAL - HACHETTE

By: Chloe Neill
Published By : NAL, Hachette
Released: Available Now
Details: Paperback from Library, 350 Pages

RATING: 3.75 STARS

Blurb: Goodreads 

Since Merit was turned into a vampire, and the protector of Chicago’s Cadogan House, it’s been a wild ride. She and Master vampire Ethan Sullivan have helped make Cadogan’s vampires the strongest in North America, and forged ties with paranormal folk of all breeds and creeds, living or dead…or both.

But now those alliances are about to be tested. A strange and twisted magic has ripped through the North American Central Pack, and Merit’s closest friends are caught in the crosshairs. Gabriel Keene, the Pack Apex, looks to Merit and Ethan for help. But who—or what—could possibly be powerful enough to out-magic a shifter?

Merit is about to go toe to toe, and cold steel to cold heart, to find out.


BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

It seemed quite strange when I started reading Wild Things, which is book number nine and the story line is only ten months on from book number one.

I feel like I have settled into this series and it has literally been years, which in reality is true, waiting for the books to be released, but in Merit’s world, it’s only been ten months since we have met her and all the other characters.

So much has happened in this time to all the characters, love, heartache, giant gnome, magic has caused a lot of havoc, Berna has wanted to fatten up Merit... the list goes on.

Ethan is still a hunk of burning love.

And then there was Ethan.

He was built like an athlete—long and lean, with taut muscles and a body that fit perfectly into his trim black suit. His hair was straight, shoulder length, and golden, framing a face so gorgeous it might have been sculpted by a master artist. Straight nose, honed cheekbones, lush mouth, and eyes as sharp and green as flawless emeralds. Ethan was alpha as they come, protective and pretentious, intelligent and strategic, and stubborn enough to match me well.

Gabriel is a fave of mine. I could quite easily read a spin off series with him in it before he met Tanya and how they got together.

“Kitten,” said Gabriel Keene, the Apex of the North American Pack. He gave me an up-and-down perusal. “I trust I’m not interrupting anything?”

“Sleeping,” I managed, crossing my arms over my chest. “We were sleeping.”

Ethan stepped behind me, chest bare, buttoning jeans. “I’m fairly certain you know precisely what you were interrupting.” 

We are introduced to a gorgeous new character, Damien Garza. He sounds all sorts of humma, humma.

The shifter who stood in the doorway was tall and rangy, with black hair that reached his shoulders and a shadow’s worth of stubble. His skin was honeyed, and his eyes were chocolate brown and deep set, offsetting honed cheekbones and a generous mouth. He wore the NAC jacket over jeans and boots, and a series of tangled cords and wraps on his right wrist.

Now I am seeing a Damien Garza spin off in my head. J

One thing in the story line had me cocking my head to the side like an inquisitive owl, the mention of Merit and personal items from the shop that had Jeff and Damien getting all guy embarrassed at what the possibilities of those personal items could be. The only way I could read that was the girlie monthly personal items and vampires, do they need these? I know it doesn’t ever get discussed in vampire books, but...

I do love this series and I keep coming back for more, and I will read it until its last page is written, but I’m in need of more from the plot. 


This book would be my least favorite and it truly pains me to say so, I was a little underwhelmed by it. I felt the characters had their moments, but there was a fair amount of not-a-lot-going-on. Things did happen, true, but there was a lot of down time that equated to being fairly boring.

I'm missing the real action and deeper connection with the characters I have grown to really love. Wild Things could have been a lot shorter if a lot of the less interesting stuff had been taken out or for me personally and more inviting with more energetic writing.

It doesn’t feel adult anymore, sure there are the glimpses of adult moments, but for such a long running series, I would be expecting the writing to be getting more exciting from an author that truly does know how to deliver.

I am left scratching my head at this installment as I did find it a slog at times to get through. I may sound harsh, but this is book number nine and I have been watching a few past books in the series lose their shine.

I am not the first to note this, so I feel that it’s alright to mention.

Yeah... this series needs a little shake up of story line and getting the characters back to the connection that once was, with the readership. 

Without a doubt I will be back for more and looking forward to reading Blood Games # 10, especially after that prophecy of Gabriel’s.

Michelle

BOOK REVIEW - THIS NIGHT SO DARK by AMIE KAUFMAN & MEAGAN SPOONER - YA SCI-FI - DISNEY HYPERION - NOVELLA

By: Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

Published By: Disney Hyperion

Released : Available Now on Amazon for 0.00

Details: Approx 46 Pages plus sneak peeks at These Broken Stars & This Shattered World

RATING: 4 ACTION STARS!

Blurb: Goodreads

Don’t miss the breathtaking short story that connects the first two novels in the Starbound trilogy, These Broken Stars and This Shattered World.

Tarver still has nightmares about the night, six months before the Icarus crash, when he rescued a group of civilian researchers being held hostage by brutal mercenaries. Now Tarver and Lilac must reconcile his memories of that fateful night with the truth that they uncovered on a mysterious planet after the Icarus crashed.

Includes a bonus preview chapter from This Shattered World!


BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

Let me start by saying this is a very short read and I thought it was worth discovering why Tarver was promoted to Major from Captain in These Broken Stars. I liked knowing him more.

This is the action that was missing for me, from These Broken Stars. Captain Tarver is on patrol with Private Gil Fisk and then all shit goes down.

There was a twist and there was action, shooting, death and mercenaries.

Hell. Yeah!

It was all over in around 46 pages because you get a sneak peek at These Broken Stars and This Shattered World at the end of it.

Visually I saw it like a little mini movie. This is what I wanted in These Broken Stars. I saw Tarver in action mode and how he became famous when he appeared at the start of These Broken Stars.

This is a prequel set six months prior to book one.

The girls gave me the oomph I was looking for in this prequel. I have my fingers crossed that This Shattered World is all action and excitement like the taste I got from this novella. This could have almost been made into a first book. But as they say, that ship has sailed.

Well done, ladies.

Michelle

BOOK REVIEW - CLOCKWORK PRINCESS by CASSANDRA CLARE - THE INFERNAL DEVICES #3 - WALKER BOOKS - YA PARANORMAL ROMANCE

By: Cassandra Clare

Published By: Walker Books

Released: Available Now

Details: Paperback, 568 Pages

RATING: 5 EPILOGUE STARS!!

Blurb: Goodreads

Tessa Gray should be happy—aren't all brides happy? Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute. A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan. He needs Tessa. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa's heart, will do anything to save her.

BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

“There are so many worse things than death,” he said. 

“Not to be loved or not to be able to love: that is worse.” 

I held off reading the last book in this trilogy purely because I didn’t want it to end. It ended whether I read it or not. 

I finished the book this morning crying my silent tears next to my sleeping husband for fear of waking him up and having to explain myself, which I would not have been able to articulate.

I admit I cried during the book and the epilogue undid me completely.

For me it is the best epilogue I have read to date. It contained so much emotion and I was completely satisfied, if not a little shocked with what I read. I am so glad I didn’t read any spoilers about the epilogue and I do hope reviewers don’t spoil for others.

What can I say that hasn’t already been said about Clockwork Princess? Cassandra Clare is such a widely accepted author around the world, her story telling is addictive. 

I love Will and I love Jem and what Cassandra did to the readers in this last instalment was both fitting and right. 

Will and Jem have such a beautiful friendship and I was crushed reading this story, such a beautifully told last book. From the start, Jem’s illness was not something he wanted sympathy for.

“No,” Jem said softly. He drew his jacket aside and took a knife from the belt at his waist. “Don’t be ordinary like that. Don’t say you’re sorry. Say you’ll train me.” 

Jem was sitting up straight, his eyes blazing. “There is more to living than not dying,” he said. “Look at the way you live, Will. You burn as bright as a star.” 

Jem looked at him with some wonder. “ Just when I think I know you perfectly, you surprise me again. Yes, I will free you.” 

I am steering clear of mentioning any story line. I simply loved Will and Jem’s touching moments.

“All my life, since I came to the Institute, you were the mirror to my soul. I saw the good in me in you. In your eyes alone I found grace. When you are gone from me, who will see me like that?” 

I did not see that epilogue coming and I LOVE how Cassandra finished off this trilogy, it was such a beautiful, sad and shocking epilogue, it twisted me up and brought deep sadness for the trilogy’s ending.

A truly fitting ending to The Infernal Devices trilogy that had me missing all the characters greatly the second I read the last words on the page, and yet my mind couldn’t help wandering towards the future.

I am even more excited to know I can read more about that epilogue on Cassandra’s page. 

After The Bridge can be found HERE

Michelle

BOOK REVIEW - SONGBIRD FREED by LISA EDWARD - SONGBIRD # 3 - CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

By: Lisa Edward

Published By: Lisa Edward

Released: Available Now

Details: Kindle copy gifted for honest review, 307 Pages

RATING: 4.25 COLE & RILEY STARS!

Blurb:

My name is Tara O’Connell, and I’ve always believed we control our own fate. That life is a journey with many roads, and the choices we make can shape our future.

Life has presented me with two paths and I’ve chosen one.

Was it right? Did I make the best decision?

After the uncertainty of the last twelve months, my destiny is now crystal-clear to me. I have a man I love more than words can express, a thriving business, and the best friends anyone could ask for. But just when I thought I could put the turmoil of my past behind me and move on, a life-changing phone call has rocked me to the core and turned my life upside-down once more.

To make matters worse, influences outside my control have taken hold and are shattering my perfect world.

But some things are worth fighting for.

Dreams can come true and I’ll do everything in my power to make them happen. But dreams can also be smashed into tiny pieces, and no matter how hard we fight or how hard we wish for something to be, sometimes with the hand we’ve been dealt, we can never win.


BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

I’ve enjoyed Lisa’s whole Songbird trilogy. The covers have always been very eye catching and I love Riley is on this cover. I put his cover image in my head when I was reading his character.

This trilogy has a great bunch of characters that will pop up throughout the whole trilogy. Tara really has a cool group of friends who are there to support her.

Jason is a fave of mine, he is very funny.

Now I really didn’t know where to look, as Cole stood, undid his jeans button and pulled the top of his boxers down, just low enough to show the script of the tattoo.

There was a squeal and we all turned to see Jason fanning himself. I couldn’t help laughing, it seemed Jason’s crush on Cole was still going strong.


Lisa sure did give the reader the run around with Riley and Cole.

Who will Tara end up with?

I like both of the male leads, but every time I got real comfortable with Cole in this trilogy, Lisa would have him do something that made me face plant and I wondered where I was headed with my team guy.

An angst filled read with moments from Cole that had me so caught up in him and then moments from Riley that had me so caught up in him.

Love is a complicated thing.

If you like two beautiful men who have much to offer a lady, and a healthy dose of angst, then this trilogy is definitely for you. 

Michelle

FIRST DEBT by PEPPER WINTERS - INDEBTED # 2 - DARK ROMANCE - BLOG TOUR - REVIEW & GIVEAWAY

By: Pepper Winters
Published By: Pepper Winters
Released : Available Now
Details: Digital copy for honest review, 320 pages

RATING: 5 TWISTED MIND GAMES STARS!

Blurb: Goodreads

“You say I’ll never own you. If I win—you willingly give me that right. You sign not only the debt agreement, but another—one that makes me your master until your last breath is taken. You do that, and I’ll give you this.”

Nila Weaver’s family is indebted. Stolen, taken, and bound not by monsters but by an agreement written over six hundred years ago, she has no way out.

She belongs to Jethro as much as she denies it.

Jethro Hawk’s patience is running out. His inheritance gift tests, challenges, and surprises him—and not in good ways. He hasn’t leashed her but he thinks he might’ve found a way to bind her forever.

Debts are mounting. Payment waiting.


BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

Why hadn’t I seen it sooner? Why hadn’t I seen past what he projected and looked deeper into his golden eyes?He was so tangled up in what he thought he was, he had no clue what he might be.

The Indebted serial is a full length set of books which will eventually reveal all of the dark and twisted tale and we will get the full picture of what Miss Pepper has wanted us to see. With each release we will discover more and more about what is going on with the characters who we can’t seem to look away from.

What I liked about this instalment is Pepper really gave us a healthy dose of understanding. What I mean is, we have been given enough of certain characters to be satisfied and urgently wanting more in this twisted tale of complicated characters.

Nila has Jethro Hawk really in a twist. He is a complicated character to understand. He is dangerous, he is on a mission to see the debt through, but he is getting all twisted up in Nila.

Jethro muttered, “Smugness is not becoming on you, Ms. Weaver.”

I shot back, “No, but vulnerability is such a fetching result on you, Mr. Hawk.”


Nila is proving to be a worthy opponent in this game that is being played out. She takes what is dished out to her but she doesn’t give in.

She won’t.

If I was to be truly honest, I am still having a little trouble with the actual debt and the reasoning, which we find out more about, and how it has stood for 600 years, but, eh, it is fiction.

The characters involved in this debt are starting to really take control of my mind and my addiction to this serial is rather consuming.

I am quite bamboozled at this stage how I am going to feel about Jethro by the end. This guy played out the First Debt and he did it with fierceness, but then he went and played with my mind... again.

I think Nila is about the straightest shooter in this series so far.

Kes is playing with my mind. Good cop, bad cop...??? He is kinda blase’ or acclimatized to how things happen in his world.

The moment I entered, Kes’s golden eyes lit up. He bounced from his chair and came to offer his hand, tugging me closer to the bikers. “Nila. What a pleasant surprise.”

... " Ouch. I’d heard he hadn’t held back." 


Kes, you really are somebody I am watching. * raises one eyebrow* I don't like raising one eyebrow it gives me a wrinkle.


Kes cupped my cheek. “ Nila...talk to me. You okay? He didn’t hurt you again, did he? I know the First Debt needed to be paid, so I can’t get angry about that payment, but anything else outside what is owed is completely uncalled for.”


Kes, you are a mind f*&^ck for me.

I paid careful attention to things in Debt Inheritance and I was correct with what I discovered in First Debt about something. Keep your eyes peeled because Pepper is dropping these little tiny seeds and if you aren’t paying attention you will miss them. I listen when Jethro is talking, I listen carefully to all the characters. In a way Miss Pepper is playing a game with us readers too.

I listened to something regarding one character that has left me quite intrigued.

Nothing Pepper will do will be straight forward, there will always be a twist. It’s what she does. There are still a handful of debts to play out. 

One can only imagine, after the first debt being the easiest.

Whahhhh!

Well done Miss Pepper, yet again.

Touche’!

Michelle

GIVEAWAY

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BOOK REVIEW - SPIRIT by BRIGID KEMMERER - ELEMENTAL # 3 - YA PARANORMAL ROMANCE - ALLEN & UNWIN

By: Brigid Kemmerer
Published By : Allen & Unwin
Released : Available Now
Details: Paperback received from publisher for honest review, 301 Pages

RATING: 5 STRONG, GAME CHANGING STARS!

Blurb: Goodreads

Hunter Garrity just wants to be left alone. He has learned the hard way that his unusual abilities come at a price. And he can't seem to afford any allies.

He's up to his neck in hostiles. His grandfather, spoiling for a fight. The Merrick brothers, who think he ratted them out. Calla, the scheming psycho who wants to use him as bait.

Then there's Kate Sullivan, the new girl at school. She's not hostile. She's bold. Funny. Hot. But she's got an agenda, too.

With supposedly secret powers rippling to the surface everywhere around him, Hunter knows something ugly is about to go down - which means he'll have to find someone he can trust.

POWER. ENEMIES. EVERYWHERE.


BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

I have to say I LOVE this YA paranormal romance series. I have been far too long without being in Brigid’s head and all her well thought out characters.

I am back!

Hunter, I loved you in Storm, and I loved you even more in Spirit. You are flawed, vulnerable and misunderstood. I felt for you as a mum. I wanted to give grandpa a kick up the tush.

Michael Merrick, oh did you shine. You became what Hunter needed in his life.

Gabriel, you had a bromance with Hunter in Spark and then you turned all fight club, but then you came back.

Nick, you are such a friend. You don’t judge quite so harshly.

I loved this instalment. Brigid writes her characters with such depth, I get totally immersed in her story telling. One of my fave YA paranormal series.

I have to admit, I had an O.M.G moment. I kept staring at the page thinking, Brigid is playing with me. But nope, she was deadly serious. I did a bit of spluttering. I saw the scene so well in my head. I was a little shocked.

I normally write lots of notes and page numbers for quotes, but I didn’t come up for air while reading Spirit. I kept telling myself to take some notes, but I kept reading rather feverishly.

A very good villain named Silver, kept me on my toes and Calla, man, she is a piece of work. They pulled it off very well. With the villains of this series, I feel like they have been brain washed from a young age and they believe in everything they have been told and trained to do. They don’t stop to look at the facts, they are driven to complete their mission and succeed at all costs. They are always around the same age as the main characters or just a bit older, but they believe in what they have to do, with few exceptions, like Hunter. They don’t blink an eye at what they have to do. The power of their peers to convince them of what needs to be done , no matter what. You can see how little children in war torn countries can without blinking an eye handle a weapon and then they grow up to be hard, unemotional adults believing in the cause they have been taught to not question. They become soldiers at such a young age, they know no different.

I highly recommend this brilliant YA series. Adults can enjoy it as much as teenagers.

Michelle

BOOK REVIEW - DISRUPTION by JESSICA SHIRVINGTON - HARPER COLLINS - YA DYSTOPIAN

By: Jessica Shirvington
Published By: Harper Collins
Released: Available Now
Details: Paperback from publisher for honest review, 400 Pages

RATING: 4.25 QUENTIN & GUS STARS!!!

Blurb: Goodreads

What if a microchip could identify your perfect match?
What if it could be used against you and the ones you love?

Eight years ago, Mercer Corporation’s M-Bands became mandatory. An evolution of the smartphone, the bracelets promised an easier life. Instead, they have come to control it.

Two years ago, Maggie Stevens watched helplessly as one of the people she loves most was taken from her, shattering her world as she knew it.

Now, Maggie is ready. And Quentin Mercer – heir to the M-Corp empire – has become key to Maggie’s plan. But as the pieces of her dangerous design fall into place, could Quentin’s involvement destroy everything she’s fought for?

In a world full of broken promises, the ones Maggie must keep could be the most heartbreaking.

BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

This was a really solid start to Jessica’s new dystopian series.

The cover to Disruption, quite frankly had me quite distracted as I kept wanting to move it as it is so shiny and different. Trust me, when you hold a copy in your hands, you are compelled to play with it.

Nine years ago laws were put in place, bring on the start of a dystopian world.

It had been up for debate for years, the public protesting the invasion of privacy vehemently at first. But once the Identification Laws were passed nine years ago and every man, woman and child was implanted with an M-Chip at the tip of their spine, people swiftly forgot to argue. Instead they became obsessed with, addicted to M-Bands and their must-have accessories. And soon enough, M-Bands became law too.



Eighteen year old Maggie Stevens is out to find her father, a neg, who she hasn’t seen in two years. She will lie, manipulate, lie, fight, kick some ass, do some more lying to get the answers she needs. She is thinking only of finding her father.

M-Corp is the billion dollar company behind all the M-Bands and what not.

Quentin Mercer is one of the heirs to M-Corp.

Quentin Mercer knew who he was and felt no need to fit anyone’s expectations. His shirt hung half untucked. His tie was perfectly knotted, but hanging on an angle. His shoes were polished to a high-gloss shine, with one lace untied. He was a walking contradiction and that seemed to be exactly what made him comfortable.



Pheremones are what drive whether you are a neg or an acceptable person for a relationship with a rating in society. To be identified as a neg, is not a good thing.


It remained a person’s right to choose whether or not to leave the Phera-tech on - some turned it off when they found their long-term match, or in the golden cases their true match- but it was compulsory for every adult to be fitted with the Phera-tech zip and to register a minimum of four ratings per calendar month.

Why?

So that negs could be detected.

Along with four other students, I’d celebrated my eighteenth birthday this month. Which meant we were all required by law to have M-Bands with Phera-tech. And today was the day M-Corp was sending in one of its techicians to upgrade our M-Bands.

Maggie is also into blackmail. She has neither the technology expertise or the funds to do what she needs to do without getting others working for her against their will.

Enter twenty two year old Gus. I love Gus. Oh, the hate relationship between Maggie and Gus, but eh, I feel these two will be ok. I love a good side kick and Jessica always delivers.


Gus groaned loudly from the back. “Maggie?”

“Yeah, I’m here,” I said, feeling more tired by the second.

He groaned again and rolled onto his side. “I hate you with the depth, breadth and heat of Hell’s most torturous pit.”

I like Travis too. He seems like some illegal fun.

Jessica has left some seeds in this first installment to crack open in the sequel. I am interested in Sebastian and Zachery and more of Sam. Naturally I want more Gus.

I really enjoyed Maggie’s character. She is fearless to the point of making mistakes that could cost her.

Quentin grew on me the more I read him. I think he is going to be an awesome book boyfriend. When you have been told one thing in life and you need to be shown the truth about what is right under your nose, it takes some adjusting.

“Shhh,” he comforted, brushing down my hair. “I don’t want to be anywhere else, Maggie. For the first time in my life, I’m right where I’m supposed to be.”


I was on my way to working out something with the end of this installment, but then there was a major can of worms I hadn’t accounted for.

Touche Ms Shirvington.

The second book, Corruption, has just been released, the sequel to Disruption, and I am looking forward to continuing Maggie and Quentin’s story after reading this one.

I know Corruptions cover is shiny silver, makes me wonder how many books in the series and what the shiny third cover color could be?

I am looking forward to continuing this dystopian journey.

Michelle

Released : 1st November 2014