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~*~