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Monday, October 31, 2016

REVIEW: Electric Series (1-4) by E.L. Todd

In book 1, readers meet Volt, a pretty decent and smokin' hot young professional in NYC ready to propose to the girl of his dreams.  When she breaks his heart, he swears off relationships and becomes the ultimate player.

Two years pass. Enter Taylor, a new teacher eager to mold young minds at an exclusive NYC private high school.  By chance she meets Volt and the chemistry is certainly there, but she's convinced that his wondering eye and promiscuity mean he isn't dating material.  What happens is what neither were expecting--the development of a profound friendship which remains charged with electric chemistry.

Throughout the remainder of the series: Spark, Burn, Combust these two characters experience a roller coaster of emotions and relationship starts and stops.

Will they or won't they?

If the do, will it last or will too much drive them apart?

Overall, I liked the series but after a while both Volt and Taylor started to drive me batty. His escalating jealousy is too much to handle despite readers knowing his past and trigger points.  Too bad Taylor isn't clued in.  These two fall into the typical NA trap of not really being good for each other but not being able to live without each other either.

I continue to see improvement in Todd's writing over the course of this series as well as her earlier works.  What I want to see continue to evolve is her sense of nuance and inserting plot devices that might not be as obvious.  Readers can guess from the beginning what the big reveal will most likely be but its a bit to blatant. Who would be friends for so long and not realize a connection between last names or even see a picture of a BFF?  Seriously!

Final rating: 3.75/5 stars

Follow the author on Twitter: @E_L_Todd

Buy the books here.


#Electric #ELTodd #romance #review

REVIEW: Honor (The Breaking Point #1) by Jay Crownover

Nassir is another of Crownover's Point badboys that is oh so bad, but oh so good.  He doesn't make excuses for his past, present or future. With an upbringing forged in Hell on Earth, the Point is the perfect place for him to build an empire with a beautiful, worthy woman by his side.

“I probably have never done it right, but I have always loved you, Keelyn Foster.” 

He's has wanted "Honor", Keeyln Foster since the moment he laid eyes on her; however, he waited perhaps too long since she skipped town.  He's determined to find her, bring her back and convince her to be a part of his business and his life.

Keeyln is on the run from her past life until her beautiful devil finds her, sparking a desire not just to return home to the Point but to embrace her past, present and future as the one and only woman in Nassir's life.  It is a tough rough and equally challenging for her to admit her feelings but once they do it is so hot that Hell just might have a new zip code.

“He would always be something sharp and deadly on the inside, something that could be used to destroy, but every blade needs a sheath and every gun needs a holster to protect it. I had no problem offering myself up as the thing that kept this particular weapon secure.” 

I've been waiting ages for this book and Crownover certainly didn't disappoint.  It's dark, seedy, sexy and violent but at the center of it all are two people forged in fire and pretty much perfect for each other.  I love that neither character has to apologize for what they want and who they are.

The audiobook read by Youssif Kamall and Sloane Carson is just phenomenal.  I slayed this book (a whole 10+ hours of audio) in barely a day, staying up until the wee hours to listen to 'just one more chapter.'  I adored the little Marked Men series nod by the subtle addition of Royal and a few other fan favs.

Final rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Follow the author on Twitter: @JayCrownover



#Honor #LOVENASSIR #NASSIR #TheBreakingPoint #romance #suspense #erotic #audiobook

REVIEW: Gemina by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Book 2 in the Illuminae Files continues with a sci-fi saga on board the Jump Station Heimdall, where readers meet two new characters who will confront the next wave of the BeiTech assault.

Hanna is the station captain’s pampered daughter; Nik the reluctant member of a notorious crime family. Immersed in their lives among the space station, they are unaware that Kady Grant, Ezra Mason and the Hypatia are headed right toward Heimdall, carrying news of the Kerenza invasion.

When an elite BeiTech strike team invades the station, Hanna and Nik are thrown together to defend their home not only from these deadly assault teams but also from vicious predators snacking on station residents.  Toss in a malfunctioning wormhole ripping the time/space continuum in two and readers are in for a treat!


“Her eyes shining with the light of it.
Beneath, between, beyond.
Along the endless circle.
Down the ceaseless spiral.
And waiting for her on the other side?
Just like he promised.
...
“A whole sky of different stars.” 
Gemina is another feast for the senses with the narrative told through a dossier of emails, IMs, classified files, transcripts, and schematics. The print version is a visual wonderland thanks to the care given the narrative and layout by Kaufman and Kristoff as well as the absurdly awesome additional illustrations by Marie Lu. The complexity of plot and character development is astounding as is the projected voices of key players Hannah, Nik and Ella.  I was pleased when Katy, Ezra and ADIAN joined the game and can't wait to see what transpires for the third novel in 2017.

A quick addition - while the print is AMAZING, I can't speak highly enough about the full cast audio as well.  I own both and it was truly an experience to immerse myself not only in the text but also the stellar audio production.

Final rating: ALL THE STARS! 

Follow the authors on Twitter: @misterkristoff @AmieKaufman




#Gemina #Illuminae #YA #teen #audiobook #awesomeness

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

REVIEW: The Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan

Thor's hammer is missing again and Loki is up to his scheming plots of doom in Riordan's second entry to the Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series.  

Magnus and his friends learn that the hammer is not only missing but in enemy hands. They'll have to find it quickly or the mortal worlds will be defenseless against an onslaught of giants. Ragnarok will begin. The Nine Worlds will burn. Unfortunately, the only person who can broker a deal for the hammer's return is the gods' worst enemy, Loki--and the price he wants is very high. 

Back are Riordan's humor, sense of adventure and great characterization.  He remains one of the few authors for children and teens who adequately incorporates characters of diversity as major players within his stories.  Sameera inspires as a Muslim Valkyrie, Heart, positively promotes deaf culture and new character Alex is gender fluid.

One drawback for me was the rather disappointing audiobook.  Sword of Summer had been narrated by Christopher Guetig and was phenomenal with its pacing, pronunciations and general performance. However, The Hammer of Thor switches narrators to Kieran Culkin and he just misses the mark.  As a scholar and fan of Norse mythology, Culkin's pronunciations are incorrect and became distracting.

Overall, this is a solid entry for the series and sets up the great potential for another adventure with the 2017 release of the third book The Ship of the Dead.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars


#HammerOfThor #MagnusChase #NorseMythology #YAlit #teen #humor #adventure

NEW RELEASE: Honor by Jay Crownover

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Jay Crownover returns with her most complicated hero yet, in the first book in the romantic suspense series The Breaking Point. 

Don’t be fooled.
Don’t make excuses for me.
I am not a good man.
I’ve seen things no one should, done things no one should talk about. Honor and conscience have no place in my life. But I’ve fought and I’ve survived. I’ve had to.

The first time I saw her dancing on that seedy stage in that second rate club, I felt my heart pulse for the first time. Keelyn Foster was too young, too vibrant for this place, and I knew in an instant that I would make her mine. But first I had to climb my way to the top. I had to have something more to offer her.

I’m here now, money is no object and I have no equal. Except for her. She's disappeared. But don’t worry, I will find her and claim her. She will be mine.

Like I said, don’t be fooled. I am not the devil in disguise... I’m the one standing front and center.









Excerpt


NASSIR

I was in the Point for less than a day when I got word that the man that ran the streets wanted to see me. I like to lay low. I liked to blend in, but here it didn’t see like that was an option. Instead of desert sand, the battleground here was asphalt and concrete, and as soon as my presence was known, it was as if this place recognized the fight lying dormant inside of me. This city called to it. I don’t know why I instantly felt like I fit, but I did. So I went to see the man in charge, fully expecting to offer him the last of my cash in order to gain a foothold in the desolate kingdom. I was a survivor. I could do without money for a little bit. No man was more resourceful than I was.

I walked into a disgustingly gaudy strip club, offended by its crass ugliness. I was expecting to meet the ruler of the land, state my intentions, and let him know I would bow to no man here or anywhere else ever again. I was expecting a shakedown and maybe some strong-arming since I was obviously foreign and undocumented. I was technically legal since my mother had been an American citizen before she fell in love with an extremist, but I hadn’t really existed on paper since she handed me over to killers and radicals when I was just a kid. Mossad didn’t want me to be anything other than their trained attack dog, so they hadn’t offered up any proof of identity for me during my time at the end of their string. What I wasn’t expecting was that my cause, my reason, my purpose for living, and my something to believe in would be dancing nearly naked on a horrifically ugly stage, looking like she was going to cry at any second. She was so much more than freedom.

She was Honor.

She was beautiful, young, innocent, and so obviously resigned to her fate. It pulled at a heart I was stunned to find I still had buried somewhere deep underneath the brutal history that filled up the inside of me. It was the first time I felt it beat, and the pulse of its yearning scared and electrified me in equal measure.

I started to move toward her like all those invisible gods I spent my life killing for were leading me directly to her when suddenly a man twice her age and triple her size leaped from his seat next to the stage and hurled himself up onto the platform directly at the girl. In the blink of an eye he was on top of her, rough hands all over her naked flesh. I heard her scream. I saw her long limbs flail and thrash under him. A red haze filled my vision and I forgot all about staying quiet and laying low. I forgot all about being a ghost, and realized that I could channel the fight that had been forged into my very soul, the fight that was slumbering restlessly inside me at that moment, into protecting something so innocent. She woke the fight up and she kept it alive.



Order HONOR in ebook or paperback, releasing 10/18/16
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1RPuEYT 
Amazon Australia: http://tinyurl.com/hgq76ml
Add to your Goodreads

Sunday, October 16, 2016

REVIEW: Artemis, Wild Goddess of the Hunt (Olympians #9)

*Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a fair review*

Expected publication: January 31, 2017


Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt, finds power through her skilled hunting ability and mighty bow despite the fact that she was shunned (it's all Hera's fault) even before she was born and was destined to live a life of solitude (her choice since her mother was treated so poorly). 

She slays those who wish to do harm to the innocent and takes care of the young and helpless. She protects women and young girls, helps in childbirth, soothes, and is unrivaled in her hunting abilities. But a word of caution, do not cross her because her wrath is not to be taken lightly.

Author George O'Connor continues to artfully share his knowledge of Greek myth in another dynamic graphic novel representation.  The included myths are the platform of our understanding of Artemis and the illustrations only seek to enhance these classic stories.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Follow the author on Twitter: @GeorgetheMighty



#artemis #graphicnovels #greekmythology #georgeoconnor #theolympians #yalit #teen

REVIEW: Empire of Storms by Sarah J Maas

Aelin's journey toward queendom is far from over. The dark continues to rise and if she and those she hold most dear are to have any kind of a chance, Aelin will need to not only hone her magic but build an army of allies that Erilea has never seen before, many enemies who must now become allies.  Aelin struggles to keep those she loves safe; however, with war looming, she's discovered that a daring quest and long sought answers might ask for significant sacrifices. 

I can't speak highly enough about this fifth book of the series nor all the Throne of Glass books as a whole.  These take epic fantasy writing, world building and character development to a whole new level.  While still categorically YA, these books are speeding into the new adult and beyond genres.  I adore them but caution that they should be for a mature reader. They are violent and increasingly sexually explicit--not to be found in a school library.

Overall, the narrative was brilliant. I laughed. I gasped in delight at the excellent action sequences, the surprises, the revelations, the long awaited proclamations of love and attraction AND I cried myself to sleep when I finished the book........NO LIE!

I can't fathom having to wait an entire year for the next part of this story. I guess I will have to find solace in starting the series again from the beginning and waiting impatiently for the television series to make its debut on Hulu.

Final rating: ALL THE STARS!!

Follow the author on Twitter:  @SJMaas



#EmpireOfStorms #ThroneOfGlass #fantasy #YAlit #adventure #magic 

REVIEW: Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

After a few weeks, I'm still not sure I have to words for how wonderful Crooked Kingdom was to read and experience.

In Six of Crows, Kaz Brekker and his crew pulled off an epic heist that they never thought they'd survive. However, instead of celebrating their victory, they are once again fighting for the lives. Double crossed and virtually crippled by the kidnapping of a valued team member, the group is low on resources, allies and morale. As even more powerful forces arrive in Ketterdam to investigate the deadly drug jurda parem and its affect on the Grisha, new and old enemies test the team as a war brews.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!

Inej - is super awesome beyond measure! DO NOT MAKE HER MAD!

Kaz - oh, Kaz how I adore you!

Matthias - I need to go cry in a corner!

Nina - you're a bad ass but eek, easy with those new powers, girl!

Jesper - careful there, don't gamble your money or your heart!

Wylan - so adorable, great with the things that go boom and some added surprises!


I am delighted that this duology had such a stellar ending even if this phase of the story has to come to a close.  This rag-tag team of thieves, crooks, and misfits are fascinating as are their individuals stories past, present and future.

Bardugo doesn't disappoint for action, suspense or romance plus adding in plenty of questions for future writing explorations in this fictional world AND making me sob like a baby.

Perfect in nearly every way, I can't wait to pick up both novels and read them again and again.


Final rating: 5 out of 5 stars

#CrookedKingdom #LeighBardugo #YAlit #teen #lovelovelove

REVIEW: Extraordinary October by Diana Wagman

October is an ordinary girl; that is until three days before her eighteenth birthday.  She has an itch that won't go away and can suddenly hear dogs talk and make crows fly.  If that wasn't extraordinary enough, two new and very handsome boys at school begin vying for her affections.

Soon October learns that she's far from ordinary and is in fact the daughter of a troll princess and fairy prince, and a pawn in a deadly war between the two factions.  October will have to use her new powers to save her family and stop a mysterious evil threatening the fairy world.

This is a charming read for Wagman's debut into YA fiction. I was delighted to get a sneak peak at the finished novel months ago and I am so happy that the publication launch has gone so well for such a talented writer who imbues the page with a unique vision and stellar characterization. And look!!! I'm a blurb on the back cover!!!!

My library is lucky enough to have Wagman visiting for a special writing workshop in November.  We're lucky to have her and it is going to be a great afternoon!

Follow the author on Twitter: @dianawagman  OR visit her website.


Click here to buy the book!



Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Read All The Things: Reading Recap Vol 3

After this post I really will be all caught up with reviews. Honestly, I will ;)

The Purloined Poodle is a novella from the brilliant mind of Kevin Hearne.  The story is a hilarious mystery adventure told from the POV of the beloved Oberon, Atticus' wolf hound in the bestselling Iron Druid Chronicles. Upon discovering that a prizewinning poodle has been dogknapped, Oberon feels it is his duty to nab the culprit and save the day. What transpires is a fantastically orchestrated tale of mystery with classic Hearne attention to detail, characterization and humor.

I really enjoyed the story but the best part is the audio by Luke Daniels.  His portrayal of Oberon makes my world just a bit more magical.  I'd love it if he'd come meet my dog and then record an inner dialogue of her musings.

If you haven't read the Iron Druid Chronicles--SERIOUSLY! What are you waiting for?! This story is amazingly amusing and a real treat for fans of the series plus a whole lot of fun for a reader not familiar with the other titles.

Final rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Ivy Morgan is back for this second part of the Wicked trilogy by Jennifer L. Armentrout. Wicked ended with the discovery that Ivy is in fact the halfling Fae the Ancients seek.  It's prophesied that she'll conceive an 'apocalypse baby' that will bring about the destruction of the world.  One bonus is that the union has to be consensual  and Ivy is determined that won't ever happen. However, the Fae are powerful and full of tricks. Ivy world is turned upside down while she struggles with who to tell the truth and just how much she might be willing to sacrifice to save Ren and herself.

I enjoyed this second book. Ivy continues to grow as a character. There were plenty of surprises with just a tad bit of predictability. Overall, good pacing, dialogue and steamy relationship building.  I like Ivy and Ren and especially Tink. I wish the villain had a bit more dimension; however, we'll see what happens in the final book.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Years ago I discovered the Noble Dead series by Barb & J.C. Hendee.  Once I got into those, I devoured the six book, loving the mix of Lord of the Rings meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  While that adventure came to an end, In Shade and Shadow marks the beginning of a spin-off series with Wynn, the young sage from the previous books.  Having left Magiere and Leesil, she's returned home with text written by ancient vampires; however, these and her personal are whisked away by the elders and Wynn's tales are dismissed as nothing but delusional fantasies.

The texts are far from dismissed as the elders have been sending them out in secret to be copied.  However, a dark force begins to wreak havoc on Sagecraft with the desire to claim these scrolls for itself.  Wynn becomes convinces that the Nobel Dead are responsible for the killings and embarks on a dangerous mission to uncover the truth while also finding a few unexpected allies along the way.

I loved this tale and can't wait to finish out the trilogy.  Wynn is a loveable character and her progression throughout the series is fascinating.  Chane is another complicated character since caring about Wynn is in conflict with his vampire nature.  I look forward to the development of this relationship and what might be in store.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Death and Wren are back in Death and the Brewmaster's Widow, the second in the Auction Block Mysteries by Loretta Ross. It becomes apparent that the death of Death's (DEETH) firefighter brother is shrouded in mystery. Determined to find answers, the couple return to St. Louis. What they find is more questions and the dubious connection to the Einstadt Brewery where Death's brother met his end.  Sleuthing reveals some pretty shocking news and a nefarious plot to keep some expensive secrets.

This second book was fun and a great mystery romp.  It was maybe a tad more predictable for me as a mystery reader but I found it engaging. I like Wren and Death as a couple and appreciate that each has their vulnerabilities but they work better as a unit.

Amanda Ronconi as audio narrative gives another stellar performance.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I've been working to catch up on Lorelei James' Blacktop Cowboys series.  Roped In is a novella in the 1001 Dark Nights releases featuring Sutton, a rodeo bulldogger and London, a sassy, gifted horse trainer.  Their paths have crossed before; however, when a life threatening injuring changes his career path, Sutton calls upon London to help train his horse since no longer can. London needs Sutton to make her ex jealous and get vindication at being dumped via text

The outcome is what readers expect from James--fireworks fly with these two from the beginning.  While they agree to work together and give in to temptation it turns out that both are what each other need to feel whole. It is super hot and sexy but charming, funny, and well written.

Wrapped and Strapped is book 7 in the series.  Harlow Pratt is known for her hippy, do-gooder ways; but there is more than meets the eye with this young woman so damaged by a rough upbringing and a past abusive relationship that she finds it difficult to trust. Ranch foreman Hugh Pritchett has past relationship demons of his own with a failed marriage. When they initially meet, the fire is there and they eventually give into temptation but old fears pull them apart.  The ill heath of Harlow's father put forces them to face their feelings and decide if what they have is something to fight for.

I enjoyed this book.  Great characters, angst and pacing with plenty of sexy time.

Final ratings: 4 out of 5 stars

Another series to catch up on is Jennifer L.Armentrout's Wait for You series. The novella Dream of You features hot detective Colton Anders and Abby Erikson.  They knew each other years ago in high school but when Abby witnesses a horrific crime and seems to become a target herself, Colton is determined to catch the criminal and protect Abby at all costs.  Attraction builds and past crushes are revealed. Colton just might be what Abby needs to move on after the death of her husband; however, her own insecurities might derail their romance before it has a chance.

Trust in Me is the alternative POV to book 1, Wait for You. We get to see the relationship from Cam's eyes rather than Avery's.  He's a good guy who although he isn't perfect, it darn well close. He owns his mistakes, atoned for them and became a better person--the perfect person to help Avery come to grips with her past so that they could build a future. I loved it and have a better appreciation for Cam as a character.

Final ratings: 4 out of 5 stars

REVIEW: Crimson Death by Laurell K. Hamilton

Crimson Death is the 25th book in Hamilton's Anita Blake series. Blake continues her job as a Federal Marshal and vampire executioner.  She's called by friend and fellow executioner, Edward to consult on a series of grisly vampire related crimes in Dublin--a unique land of its own regarding its history with magic, vampires and She Who Shall Not Be named AKA Damian's former vampire mistress.

This is very much a Damian centric book.  He hasn't been too involved in much of Anita's life even though he's part of her Triumvirate with Nathaniel.  All this changes based on Damian's apparent connection to the situation in Ireland and the role the trio needs to play in each other's lives.

Overall, I enjoyed the book far more than last year's Dead Ice; however, the narrative dragged quite a bit.  It is the same format as the past number of series entries-- introduce crime, then deal with WAY too much relationship and power struggle antics, then finally get on with the crime solving only to have the end action happen too quickly and wrap things up in far too few pages.

What I liked...

The actual Jean Claude interactions, that Damian was back and had a role, that Nathaniel is maturing and stepping up for what he wants. I always like when Edward shows up but he needed to be around more and this government tie-in that is probably going to become important in future books is interesting.

What I didn't like...

The pacing. There's just too much of the same relationship and political woes.  Poor Asher. Poor Anita. Poor Nathaniel. Etc...Etc...Etc. When we finally get into the 'meat of the crime, all the action happens way too quickly and then there isn't a lot of time for readers to process the outcome of character deaths and new metaphysical powers.

Anita spends far too much time justifying her lifestyle choices. It is time to move on and stop being repetitive.

Final rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars



#CrimsonDeath #AnitaBlake #vampires #horror #erotica #netgalley #review


Monday, October 3, 2016

REVIEW: One Was Lost by Natalie D. Richards

Damaged. Deceptive. Dangerous. Darling

What do these words mean and what impact will they have on a seemingly innocent senior field trip for Sera and her peers?

A hiking trip in the forest turns deadly when a flash flood separates the groups. Stranded, wet, and without means to communicate with the outside world, Sera and the others are determined that things will look brighter in the daylight; however, when it appears they've been drugged, their chaperone is out of commission and other ghastly occurrences begin happening, the terror rises and they just want answers and to be rescued.

Suddenly, it's clear they're being hunted but by what or who?

One Was Lost is an edge of your seat thriller for reader grades 9 and up.  There are plenty of thrills and chills plus mystery and some delicious romantic angst. Readers will be captivated from start to finish to find out the truth--with plenty of surprises along the way.

I was happy to read this as part of the Teen Scene prep for this year's Books by the Banks in Cincinnati, Ohio.  This is my first read by author, Natalie D. Richards but it won't be my last.

Final rating:  4 out of 5 stars

Follow the author on Twitter: @NatDRichards


#OneWasLost #nataliedrichards #mystery #thriller #YAlit #teen #BooksByTheBanks