Claiming Excalibur

BOOK INFORMATION (Goodreads)

Aliana Fagan has done what many thought impossible: she’s awakened King Arthur from his fifteen-hundred-year sleep, reunited the Knights of the Round Table, and even beaten Mordrid and Morgana LeFay in battle.

But the Destined One’s quest has only begun.

Before the knights can "unearth and reclaim their lost relics" they must survive the trip to Charleston, South Carolina and meet the newest member of the Round Table. If King Arthur’s men thought Aliana and Lacy were tenacious, they'll be even more surprised by Dawn, the third member of the fem-trio. 

Deadly secrets, unexpected allies, and a traitor lurking in the shadows await Aliana and the new Round Table as they continue their search for Excalibur. Their only clue is a beyond confusing poem from a mysterious book that speaks of a terrifying creature guarding the legendary sword. Trying to build a somewhat normal relationship with Sir Galahad adds a whole new level of complexity to Aliana’s task, especially when several among them suspect the White Knight may not be wholly himself. Her friendship with King Arthur grows closer, and when circumstances become intense, he may finally get the chance with Aliana that he’s been pining for.

Mysteries, legendary quests, and haunting memories will either unite the members of the New Round Table or fracture their bonds. Aliana and her crew only have seven months before the planets align and Mordrid can seize the power he needs to conquer the seven realms. Can the Destined One keep her new family together and lead Arthur to his destiny of saving the realms? Or will a centuries-old plot for revenge finally spell the king’s end?

Genres: Fantasy, Mythology, Arthurian, Young Adult

Formats: paperback, kindle, 

Number of pages: 300 pages

Publisher: Omnific

Publishing Date: December 16, 2014

Language: English

ISBN: 1623421535

My Rating:

This book took me a long time to get too, not because I didn't want to read it, on the contrary really.  I was giving a copy of this book a long time ago, but between my children, school, work, etc I just couldn't get to it until now.  For that, I am truly sorry!

I was really excited about this book.  I read the first in this trilogy by L.H. Nicole and was absolutely blown away.  You really don't see too many books about Arthurian legend..not that I've seen anyways.  So, not only was I thrilled and honored to have read the first book, I got to continue with Claiming Excalibur.

I will say that in this second installment, you are shot back into Aliana and her friends world.  One thing I love about this author's writing is that there was little repetition of the first book, Legendary.  You know how you start reading the second book in a series and it's pretty much the first book until about half way through....yea, that drives me crazy.  I am happy to report that this does not happen in this book!

You are taken to many different worlds (realms) and are constantly meeting new characters and developing a deeper relationship with the characters you already love.  I have to say, I'm sure every one is loving on Galahad...I'll take Arthur please! Yum!

L.H. has developed this amazing world with amazing people.  I can't wait to find out what happens in the next and final book.  I will say this for L.H. she is one heck of a writer!!! Amazing addition to an already amazing series!

Hiatus is now done!

I just want you all to know that my hiatus is officially OVER!!!!

Last year I was getting so overwhelmed between trying to keep up with my book reading, the girls, school, and work that I had to let go of something and book reading was it.  Alas, I graduated in June with my Master's so I can now entertain the idea of getting back in to blogging!!

~*~ Another High Five ~*~

Anyways,  I'm going to try and read a book a week.  That's my goal anyways, starting today.  I'm going to try and post a book review a week, starting with L.H. Nicole's "Claiming Excalibur."  I have owed her this review for awhile, for that I have failed her.

Carry on then...It's on to the reading...See you guys next Sunday!!

Mr. Fox

BOOK INFORMATION (Goodreads)

Fairytale romances end with a wedding. The fairytales that don't get more complicated. In this book, celebrated writer Mr. Fox can't stop himself from killing off the heroines of his novels, and neither can his wife, Daphne. It's not until Mary, his muse, comes to life and transforms him from author into subject that his story begins to unfold differently. Meanwhile, Daphne becomes convinced that her husband is having an affair, and finds her way into Mary and Mr. Fox's game. And so Mr. Fox is offered a choice: Will it be a life with the girl of his dreams, or a life with an all-too-real woman who delights him more than he cares to admit?

Genres: Fantasy, Magical realism, Historical fiction, Contemporary, Adult

Formats: paperback, kindle, ebook

Number of pages: 278 pages

Publisher: Picador

Expected Publishing Date: June 3, 2011

Language: English

ISBN: 0330536265

My Rating:

AHH! I'm late! No surprise there.  I can't seem to know which way is up any more.  Good Heavens! TOO MUCH TO DO AND NO TIME TO DO IT!! 

Whew, I got that off my chest.  So, for this week...Mr. Fox.  I was forced *ahem* just kidding! I read this book along with some good friends from my book club.  Though, they were good and finished it before it came time to discuss, unlike some of us slackers over here *cough* *cough*  But I'm glad that I got to listen to what they had to say, because let me tell you..I didn't have a flipping clue as to what I was reading.  Perhaps it was me, perhaps it was the weird way that the author wrote and perhaps it was the genius of it all that I just couldn't comprehend...the last is probably the most accurate statement.

I wish I could tell you how this book goes.  There is no ONE story line.  Mr. Fox, I've decided is schizophrenic, Mary Foxe is his schizophrenic woman that likes to toy with him...or he with her...I haven't quite decided.  And while my book club ladies have stated that Mary is more of Mr. Fox's inner muse...I must say, I like my explanation better, because..well it helps me attempt to wrap my brain around this book.  

In the book blurb it talks about little fairy tales within the book.  Well if that's the case..Disney you have done it wrong!  There is so much...well, you know that movie where Johnny Depp is the barber in England or something...the musical, oh what was it called....S....Sweeny Todd! That is just what I envisioned in reading some of these stories...I mean..hello gruesome.  

Yay for slicing necks and the girls dying, it's always a girl..masculinity issues maybe?  I wish I highlighted quotes..but alas..little time meant I read this book in little teeny times that I had...15 minute breaks at work..30 minutes before bedtime when I'm exhausted..So therefore..no quotes.  I'll try to be better next time..As for what I really thought of the book...

I didn't understand it.  I don't know if it's due to the fact that I didn't have time to really digest the information that was being thrown at me? Or, and this is what I really think, is that I am not smart enough to understand the genius that came out of this authors pen and therefore left my brain a bowl full of mush by the end of the story going....wait what??  This makes me think..I really need to read something light next week..No more gruesome..no more making me overthink..my brain can't take the heat at this moment in my life..Oyeyemi...touche my friend...touche!

Hex Hall

BOOK INFORMATION (Goodreads)

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father—an elusive European warlock—only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.

By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tag-along ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire student on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Magic, Vampires, Witches,

Formats: paperback, kindle, ebook

Number of pages: 323 pages

Publisher: Hyperion Book CH

Expected Publishing Date: March 2, 2010

Language: English

ISBN: 1423121309

My Rating:

I needed an audiobook to be able to take with me on my long drive to Michigan.  I really wasn't sure what I was going to listen to, because, well I'm not a huge fan of audiobooks.  However, I came across Hex Hall and I was interested.  Firstly, it has my love for all things paranormal, plus..I've seen it before and was curious to read it, but just never got around to it.  So with that being said, I got it through the library and listened..I wasn't disappointed!

We meet Sophie Mercer, a witch whom has grown up in the mortal world.  She came into her powers when she was thirteen and has never known how to control them, never knew her ability, or anything really about that part of her.  She ends up trying a love spell for a mortal friend and goes a little overboard, which lands her in Hex Hall.

There she meets a coven of "dark witches" Elody, Anna, and Chastin, they need a fourth to complete their coven.  Sophie isn't buying.  She really has no desire to join their coven at all, especially since she doesn't understand what it entails either.  She begins to become close to the one vampire at the school, which also happens to be her roommate, Jenna.  

While Sophie is trying to understand the extent of her powers, while also going through the normal teenage high school experience that includes the ever loving hotness named Archer; She begins to learn why everyone is so hard on her.  Who her dad really is, how her family came to their powers, and tries to unlock the mystery as to why the witches of the coven are being targeted.  Soon she gets the answers she has been looking for, but doesn't necessarily like the answer she gets.  Especially when she sees the ghost that has been following her since she got to Hex Hall.

Sophie's relationship with Archer is a confusing, sad and yet exciting one.  Archer is a warlock at the school and the first encounter he had with her was saving her.  He had a soft spot for Sophie, though he was with Elody.  You start to really get to know Archer and really wish he'd just break it off with Elody already and get with Sophie.  But towards the end, you just want to smash the book down! Or...in my case...turn it off?? You don't want to hear what's coming! And quite frankly, I saw it coming, just didn't want to believe it!

All in all, I really liked Hex Hall.  I thought it was an interesting take on all of the paranormal out there, the witches, the fae, the vampires ect..it had it all! My favorite character...I don't know how to pick just one.  I really liked Sophie, which is hard for me in most books I don't always like the main character.  I thought she had a good heart, she really cared about people and really wanted to learn everything that she could.  Maybe reading it vs having it read to me would have changed this, but it just didn't seem like she was a whiner or a moper, which I really liked! 

I gave this 4/5 stars, I wouldn't re-read it, but I definitely would recommend it.  It's an awesome, interesting take of the modern world, humans being oblivious to the paranormal world and just what exactly goes on when you mess with magic!

Happy Reading,

*This Book was Read as Week 7 of the #Fallfortheindiebook2014 Challenge on goodreads.  Check it out: Here

Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter

BOOK INFORMATION (Goodreads)

If there is one thing eighteen-year-old Aurora Sky wants, it's to get off the iceberg she calls home. Being kissed before she graduates wouldn't hurt either.

Then a near-fatal car wreck changes everything. Government agents step in and save Aurora's life in exchange for her services as a vampire hunter. In Alaska. Basically she's a glorified chew toy. All thanks to her rare blood type, which sends a vampire into temporary paralysis right before she has to finish the job... by hand.

Now Aurora's only friends are groupies of the undead and the only boy she can think about may very well be a vampire.

(Mature YA, new adult series that becomes progressively more mature. Underage drinking, sexual situations, mild language and blood sucking.)

Genres: Paranormal, vampires, fantasy, young adult, romance, urban fantasy

Formats: kindle, ebook

Number of pages: 242 pages

Publisher:  Createspace

Publishing Date: January 1, 2012

Language: English

ISBN: 148115320X

My Rating:

Here's book two of this 5 book paranormal fantasy whatchajigger that I downloaded from amazon for .99c.  And really, nothing about this book really stood out at me, you know what I mean.  Ok, I guess some of you would really press that issue and I'll get to that after my synopsis....

So we meet Aurora Sky, just your average, every day no body who was gonna leave the nasty cold and bitterness of Alaska and be somebody...that is...until she died..well..almost.  You see, that's the weird part.  She is "put back together" by some branch of the government who has recruited her because of her blood, to be a vampire hunter.  You heard me right, we have ourselves a Buffy...sort of.  

One thing I really liked about this book and the way it worked, was that these government officials recruited their hunters based on their blood type and the fact that they "died."  The government infects them with "various diseases" that turn people to vampires.  The only way they stay "normal" if you will, is with an antidote or some serum that keeps them from turning into a vamp.  So, that right there is where I figure you'd argue with me about not really standing out...I've never heard of another author doing this where the hunters blood is paralyzing to a vampire...

I digress, that was pretty cool the way she did that...Anywho...So we meet Fane, he's all mysterious and dark, yet always has his tongue down Valerie's throat...gross on that.  During scenes with these two you could just picture yourself back in high school and there is ALWAYS that one couple that just can't keep their hands off each other...And while I was jealous most times...*haha* I still didn't want to see it! 

Oook, got off topic a bit, so Fane and Aurora end up falling for each other and Aurora ends up finding a secret that she doesn't like, yet she can't stay away from him...Really..that's all there is too it.  I can't give too much more away due to well spoilers and such.  

I found myself really wanting this book to end.  I couldn't hardly get in to it.  The saving grace and the reason it got three stars was the originality of the agents and how the vampire hunters "killed." Otherwise, wasn't really that impressed.  I really wasn't invested in the characters at all.  Aurora was a whiny, yes, I realize she "died," but be thankful for heavens sake! Fane just wasn't anything special...in my opinion.  

Quotes, I usually have quotes for you! But alas, I only have one that tickled my fancy and made me laugh just a tad, other than that..again..nothing really stood out to me.. so I leave you with:

"I could take you home right now?"

"Thanks, but the bus feels safer."

"Want a smoke?"

I looked at the cigarette in Fane's outstretched hand and laughed.

"No! God, what are you?  The dark prince of temptation"

She never saw it coming.....

 

 

 

 

 

Amaranth

BOOK INFORMATION (Goodreads)

Hoodoo-influenced Southern Louisiana seems like the perfect place for Camille to escape her abusive past and dysfunctional family. She doesn’t expect to fall in love with the handsome Gavin Devereaux and plummet into the world of Amaranth, a place of exile for reformed vampires.

Wrestling to escape a deadly ex-boyfriend while giving Gavin a chance, Camille is confronted with decisions that threaten not only her life, but the lives of her inhuman friends she has come to love. Entangled in her friends’ quest for freedom, she dives into their realm and faces the threats of Amaranth’s ruler—the mother of all vampires—and her own inner demons.

Now Camille must decide whether she will derail her life and make the ultimate sacrifice for the monsters that interrupted her bumpy path back to sanity—what she still wants so desperately—or escape with Gavin before it’s too late for both of them.

Genres: Paranormal, vampires, fantasy, young adult, romance

Formats: paperback, kindle, ebook

Number of pages: 245 pages

Publisher:  Rabbit Hole Press

Expected Publishing Date: July 27, 2011

Language: English

ASIN: B005EV0OSI

My Rating:

First off, I am so sorry I am late with this blog post.  I actually finished this book almost a week ago, I've just been so busy I haven't had a few seconds to post..Dang it!  Ok....on to the review!

So I picked up Amaranth as it was .99c with the 5 fated paranormal books.  I just thought, hey why not! Let me tell you, with this first story, I was NOT disappointed.  So we meet Camille in Paris and you immediately sympathize with her.  She's trying to start a new after an abusive relationship and runs in to Gavin.  There was an immediate connection there, but nothing every really came from it.

2 years later, fate would step in and once again, she ran in to Gavin once more at the book shop she works in.  They were immediately drawn together once more, though Camille had once again found herself in an abusive relationship that she was trying to get rid of at at the time, ashamed she once again let herself fall into the same pattern she ran from 2 years ago.  With Gavin's help, she was finally able to give up the abusive man, that is until she was attacked.

Gavin was there to save her, and this is where you find out just how much Gavin and his friends have been hiding.  Throwing Camille through a whirl wind of emotions, throwing herself into an alternate world full of vampires, including the queen bee Samira and finding out she is not a force to be reckoned with.

I wouldn't say this is a hang on to the edge of your seat kind of book, but it definitely keeps you intrigued.  To be quite honest, I didn't see Gavin's secret coming.  It could be because I didn't read the book blurb and really didn't know what to expect, but I was just oblivious to the whole thing until Andrew attacked and then the light-bulb went off! 

Oh and as for Ms. Wade's writing.  LOVED it!!! For instance:

"And then he stepped out from the driver's side wearing a black button-up dress shirt, sleeves rolled to his elbows, and an expensive-looking pair of dark jeans.  Not the Gavin with the old band t-shirt and combat boots, but wherever that Gavin was tonight, I wouldn't complain about his absence."

I so had this mental picture of Zac Efron as Gavin the whole time.  Don't ask me why, but that's just who would play Gavin for me in the movie! And some of the lines in the book, really just spoke to me.  Anyone can relate to them! We all have down in the dump days and for her to come around with a quote like:

"As crazy as the cards are, work with them.  Don't sit around moping about it or trying to get away from it.  Work with what you've got."  

I LOVED this quote! I think we all need to be reminded from time to time.  It's ok to grump for a bit, but then play the cards you were dealt and move on with your life!

So 5/5 stars to this amazing story.  Can't wait to see if I can find the rest of the books in this trilogy!

Happy Reading!

 

Entangled Moments

BOOK INFORMATION (Goodreads)

A deadly accident can take a life in more than one way.

Four years ago, Carlene Adams made a deadly mistake. A tragic accident derailed the future she'd hoped for, taking the life of the man she'd planned to spend forever with. 

As a self-imposed penance for her solitary sin, Carlene has given up on every dream she ever had. She has committed to spend every remaining moment trying to make up for that one instance when everything changed.

Then she gets a second chance.

When Carlene meets Nick Johnson, the single kiss they share awakens the desires she shoved aside for so long. Suddenly she wants more than what she believe she deserves. Will she ever see him again?

A thing of fate.

Leaving the life she built on regret, Carlene waits for fate to intervene. But just as she begins to believe in a fresh start, she's forced to realize a horrible truth—one with the power to send her second chance crashing before it even takes off. 

Nick isn't who she thought he was. She isn't the girl he believed her to be, either. Their lives were intertwined even before they met, and if Carlene tells him the truth, she’ll risk tearing them apart—for good.

**Due to sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.**

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, Women's Fiction, Short Stories

Formats: paperback, kindle, ebook

Number of pages: 102 pages

Publisher: Dori Lavelle 

Expected Publishing Date: December 12, 2013

Language: English

ASIN: B00H93QA2S

My Rating:

Ok, I REALLY liked this little short story! I was kind of nervous about it. Never heard of the author or the book, but it was recommend to try and I am SO glad that I did.

So we meet Carlene, who at this time is living in a shelter that she also volunteers at.  She had decided after her fiance died that she didn't deserve happiness as it was "her fault" that he passed.  She meets a man in the church that she goes to every year on the anniversary of his death and meets a beautiful stranger.  Sharing in one intimate moment without even knowing his name.

Nick was at the church, lighting a candle for his deceased brother.  And instantly longs for this stranger he meets, but alas, they part ways.

This intimate moment gave Carlene knew hope and was determined to better her life.  Things started going her way, with a new job, new apartment, things were starting to look up..for a little while...

This little story was quite the rags to "riches" story.  I put riches in "" marks because Carlene's not rich per se, but she has bettered herself and tried to move on from the past.  She's finally got her own apartment, a higher paying job and life is starting to get on track.  I love these kinds of stories.  Of course, life always throws you curves and it's how you react to those curves that shows your true nature.  

Carlene is not a bad person, and though you never get the FULL story on what happened between her and her dead fiance, you only know that she's going to tell his brother everything, only he finds out before she has a chance to tell him and things blow up!  I'll be interested to see how this story evolves!

I rated it 4 stars, mainly because I didn't think it was long enough! Isn't that awful! I loved her writing, I loved the story and I just wanted it to keep going! I will definitely be picking up book two at some point!

~*~ This book was read for the #fallfortheindiebook2014 challenge on goodreads~*~

Opposition

BOOK INFORMATION (Goodreads)

Katy knows the world changed the night the Luxen came.

She can't believe Daemon welcomed his race or stood by as his kind threatened to obliterate every last human and hybrid on Earth. But the lines between good and bad have blurred, and love has become an emotion that could destroy her—could destroy them all.

Daemon will do anything to save those he loves, even if it means betrayal.

They must team with an unlikely enemy if there is any chance of surviving the invasion. But when it quickly becomes impossible to tell friend from foe, and the world is crumbling around them, they may lose everything— even what they cherish most—to ensure the survival of their friends…and mankind.

War has come to Earth. And no matter the outcome, the future will never be the same for those left standing.

Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance

Formats: paperback, kindle, ebook

Number of pages: 534 pages

Publisher: Entangled Teen 

Expected Publishing Date: August 5, 2014

Language: English

ISBN: 1622662644 

                                                         My Rating:

An AMAZING end to this AMAZING series.  So the closer I get to the end of a series, the more antsy, yet saddened I become! It's such a conflict of interest! I'm ready for the closure, but I want the stories to go on! Such a selfish person I am! What do I want the most?!?!?!

I started the Lux series maybe a year and a half ago?! Armentrout had just put out the third book in the series, so really, I didn't have to wait THAT long in the scheme of things. 

Ok, so if you don't know much about the Lux series, here's a recap.  Katy moves to West Virginia, meets a swoon worthy Daemon, who let's face it, is a big JERKOID! They slowly get used to each other and start to fall, though neither wants to admit it.  And all of the stuff that happens to them in between is just irrelevant right?? HA. It's uber important, but I can't give it all away!

Opposition is dealing with the invasion of the Luxen aliens who are an arrogant species.  They begin to assimilate (kill the humans and take their bodies), and essential, take over the world! Little do they know about the Arum that reside in the under surface of the Earth.  They are the dark to their light! Katy and Daemon must travel to the enemy's lair to rally the forces to stop the invasion.

On to the review:

So the very first page had this quote and I just about died laughing:

"Back in the day, I had this play for the off chance that I was around for the whole end-of-the-world thing.  It involved climbing up on my roof and blasting R.E.M.'s "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" as loud as humanly possible.."

I mean tell me that's not hilarious in the context of an alien invasion! Armentrout's writing is genius, let me tell you. She has a way about her that makes you feel like she's right there telling you her story.  It's not blocky and hard to follow.  And well Daemon, he's just..

Ok, so what worked with this book.  I don't think I can come up with just one thing that worked well with this book.  I LOVED that she incorporated Hunter and Serena from her spin-off, stand alone book Obsession.  And the part that Luc and Archer played in the Apocalypse.  The way the government handled things after Nancy Slusher was out of the picture.  I mean, it just sort of all went well together! And oh my, the head of the Arum, that bit was HILARIOUS! But...I don't wanna quote that, it would give too much away and I REALLY thing you should read the novels!

Favorite character?  How to pick just one?! I love Daemon, like most girls whom have read this series.  His arrogant, cocky facade, yet sweet, caring and tenderness towards Katy.  Yet, he's also got this bit of "that is mine" attitude going on about Katy and that, I can't help is super hot.   But Archer, man..Archer is just cool.  He's go the badassery, with a soft spot..and the mind thing, well that's just cool.  

"Dammit.  All I want to do is shower and take a nap and eat some bacon!"  -Archer

Me too Archer, me too! Another character I really like was Lotho, the Arum! He's psycho, but in an interesting way.  I was just drawn to him and his..well antics towards the end of the book.  You'll have to see why..can't really use a quote without giving stuff away, so read it!

I haven't really read an alien series before, but Armentrout really outdid herself here.  I LOVE this series and I'm so sad to see it come to an end.  Perhaps we'll see a spin off series in the future ^^?! Guess we shall see.  Until then!

~*~This is for the #fallfortheindiebook2014 challenge on goodreads: Here~*~

Between the Cracks and Burning Doors: Prequel to The Extraction List Series

BOOK INFORMATION (Goodreads)

Cain Foley committed his first murder before he could even drive a car. Not that he would've had anywhere to drive to. When he was fifteen, America was one of the poorest countries in the world, and its' citizens took their hatred of that fact out on each other through gangs and violence. Children that were barely tall enough for carnival rides peppered the streets selling drugs (or themselves) so they could buy their next meal. 

Every night on the news, Cain watched as an angelic blonde woman who lost her own child swore she'd end it. She assaulted America's televisions with praise for the Parental Morality Law: a set of rules that spells out exactly what it takes to be a parent in the eyes of the government, and the consequences of breaking those rules. He prayed every night that she would come and rescue him before his father took his belt off again. 

Before she could save him, Cain faced a fatal choice: fight back or die on the basement floor. 

He chose life. 

Now on the run, he finds himself being hunted by a police officer with his own special brand of torture. Before he can save even a handful of children who have been swept up in the gang life, he must first cover up not one, but two murders: his father's, and one committed by a teenage madam who is either the love of his life, or his final undoing. As he feels himself being pushed further and further to the edge, he realizes that surviving his father was just the beginning.

Genres: Dystopian, Science Fiction

Formats: paperback

Number of pages: 161 pages

Publisher: Quandary Hill Publishing

Expected Publishing Date: July 1, 2014

Language: English

ASIN: B00LGCM4VY 

                                                         My Rating:

I never win anything.  Truly, I don't even know why I try, but this time..this time I won!!!!

I won this book by Renee Meland in a goodreads contest and while I had never heard of it, or The Extraction List Series, I was more than willing to give it a try.  And to boot, I am using it for week 2 of the #fallfortheindiebook2014 challenge on goodreads! Check it out!

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1981634-official-challenge-rules

Keep in mind too, I have not read The Extraction Series, so my rating is based solely on this book alone.  Ok, on to the review...

We get to know a little about Cain Foley and the place he called home.  And in the first paragraph, the last sentence...

"For my first kill, I accidentally killed my father when I beat him to death with a pipe"

What?  Anyways, it wasn't much of a home..as if you couldn't tell from that one line!  He was abused both verbally and physically by his father and one fateful night, everything changed, it was his life or his fathers and he chose his.  He ran from the scene of his crime after his mother found him and stated she would take care of the problem.  

"I was now public enemy number 1"

This is where he meets Dom, a priest, in an alley, getting beat to a pulp. 

I mean, gruesome much??  However, he saved the priests life and in return the priest allowed him to take up with him.  It was here that he began to see what having a family meant, someone to look after him and actually care about what happens to him.

"The idea of "we"--a family or a friendship, for that matter--was something I only saw while looking out my bedroom window.."

He found that family when he took up for Dom when he had to leave for a little while.  In comes Maureen. You really hated to love her, but you think of the empire she built for herself and think wow, she had to do something to survive this awful world they are living in!  Cain takes up with her as well.

"I don't know what I had expected Maureen to look like, but the woman in front of me definitely wasn't it.  Barely sixteen, her dark green eyes stared at me, looking me over from the bottom of my feet to the top of my head."

The premise of this book is actually quite scary, because like with most dystopian novels, you can see it happening.  America being the poorest country around.  Little kids joining gangs, just doing what they can to survive this cruel world.  Hmm..sound familiar??  There wasn't much meat to this novel, I mean, it was a prequel, but it was enough to give you the chills, and leaves you wanting more!! 

At the end of the book, you're frustrated, surprised, and angry, or at least I was.  Ms. Meland has a way with her words that just leaves you begging for more.  It was so amazingly written that I finished it in just a few short hours, and that was only because I had two kids to tend too! It just leaves you saying....

And you don't even truly know why.  Is it because it's so realistic it's scary?? Or is it because Ms. Meland's writing is just so beautiful you think "Dang it! This is another series I have to read!" And for people like me, that TBR list just keeps getting longer and longer and longer.  And it now has another series to add to it! Well played Renee, well played.

 So don't take my word for it, go check it out for yourself..and tell me you aren't mesmerized!!!

~*~This is for week two of the #fallfortheindiebook2014 challenge.  Go check it out HERE~*~

Texas Twist

BOOK INFORMATION (Goodreads)

Real bad boys can grow up to be real good men.

Texas Montgomery Mavericks, Book 4

Hit hard by the death of her parents, Paige Ryan needs to figure out what to do with her life. She moves to Whispering Springs, Texas, to be near her step-brother. But just as she starts to get her life on track, the last man she ever wanted to see again sends it right back off the rails.

Cash Montgomery was on the cusp of having it all. Three bull riding titles, fame, fortune and respect from his family. Until a bad bull leaves him injured, angry and searching for comfort at the bottom of a bottle. With nowhere to go, he moves into his sister-in-law's old ranch house in Whispering Springs which he's surprised to find already occupied.

As Cash rebuilds the dilapidated home and Paige starts out on her medical career, their old friendship begins to reemerge and sparks are ignited. Paige knows that Cash is nothing but a heartache waiting to happen. But maybe this bad boy has grown up to be a real good man?

Warning: Watch out for falling lumber, falling in holes, and falling for the wrong guy again. You can leave your hard hat on.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Adult, Western Romance

Formats: ebook

Number of pages: 246 pages

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Expected Publishing Date: September 2, 2014

Language: English

ISBN:  1619223880

                                                         My Rating:

Ok, I'm gonna be honest here.  I almost NEVER read adult romance novels.  Most of the time, they are just way to much for me.  This is just gonna sound dumb, but I never believe in the fairy tale, unbelievable romance novels...Just not realistic to me.  Yes, this is coming from the person who loves young adult, paranormal novels.  That's not to say that I think those are real, but to me it seems as though romance novels try to hard, whereas the others, well we just know it to not be realistic and we are OK with that..does that make sense??

However, I saw this ARC up for grabs on a networking blog site and read the blurb.  I'll admit, I was hesitant.  I really wasn't sure about the romance, or the western part of this.  I mean come on my grandma read western romance novels, is that what I was becoming??? But, I was in the mood for a romance novel and saw this up for grabs, so why not??  And as you can see by my rating, I wasn't disappointed!

The prologue of the book starts off with the Montgomery family having a little get together to watch their youngest member ride in the rodeo.  Not to far after champion bull rider Cash Montgomery crashes through the gate he is bucked off and stamped, bad enough to where his career as a bull rider comes to an abrupt end.  6 months later, Cash's body has healed, but his psych wellness is questionable.  He's drowned himself in the bottle, every night finding himself passed out in Leo's bar, wallowing in his self pity at his loss.

Enter Paige Ryan, who, herself, is dealing with the tragic loss of her parents from a car crash.  Moving back to her home town, Whispering Springs, Texas to spend more time with her brother Leo.  She was only planning on being back for the summer until she going to get her nurse practitioner, she is set up in the house of Dr. Caroline Graham's relative. What she didn't expect was that Dr. Graham's husband, Travis Montgomery has lent the house to his brother, Cash.  Who also happens to be Paige's first lover 7 years prior.  Paige was still upset by Cash's rejection, but he had always been on her mind. When these two meet, the sparks that were ignited 7 years ago, were reignited once more.

Throughout the novel Cash and Paige both made you just want to shake them into sense!  But, I do have to say, that if it were me in the situation, I may have just done the same thing.  Paige didn't want the hurt of the rejection again, so she hid behind a cool facade of "roomies with benefits" to real Cash in.  Cash believed Paige deserved so much better than him, but really didn't want to let go, so he gave in to her proposal.  Throughout the book, it was amazing to watch how Cash's self determination and worth improved, which just added so much more to this story.  His charm and wit never falter, no matter the situation.  In the end he saw that he was more than just a champion bull rider.  

Cynthia D'Alba really gave a heartwarming tale of one messed up cowboy and a bull headed girl, putting them together to work out their frustrations, past and current.  I loved the way the characters just seemed to grow on you, how they acted in a realistic manner.  How many times do girl's play the games to try and get the man they want?  And how often do we see the men thinking they aren't good enough, but hell if they aren't gonna get something out of the deal!  It was so realistic and so well written that I can't even begin to explain how I wish I had read the first 3 books in the series.  Of course, they don't have to be read to understand what is going on in this story.

Therefore, 5 stars to this amazing romance, with just the right amount of sexual healing and emotions to keep you on the edge of your seat as well as your hand trying to reach into the book and smack the characters upside the head! 

Check out the rest of the line up for the #fallfortheindiebook2014 challenge on goodreads: HERE

*~*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for a honest review~*~