Month: July 2015

What Are You Reading? (252)

Posted July 31, 2015 by Rowena in Features | 4 Comments

WAYR-New
Rowena: It’s been a slow reading week month for me. I haven’t read that many books in the month and this past week, I only read one book. I read P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han. I thought it was such a cute read too so I have no idea why it took me so freaking long to read it. Well, I did finish a re-read of Sincerely, Carter by Whitney Gracia Williams so I guess that counts as two reads for the week. I adore that book. Like, so very much.

Right now, I’m reading Brown Eyed Girl by Lisa Kleypas. The heroine is low key getting on my nerves. Her past baggage and the way that she’s with Joe is making me want to punch her in the face. But I’m still liking it. šŸ˜‰ After this, I’m going to read A Summer Like No Other by Elodie Nowodazkij.

Holly is busy being a serving wench for the summer, having loads of fun and making the big tips. Maybe next week we’ll catch her!

What are you reading this week? Anything good? Bad? Share!


Tagged: , , , ,

VIVIAN AREND’S TWO WEEKS OF WOLFIES GIVAWAY OF BOOKS

Posted July 31, 2015 by Rowena in Giveaways | 5 Comments

If you missed the last two weeks of Vivian Arend’s Wolfies Giveaway of Books, there’s still some time left. There’s a lot of wolfies goodness going on so you don’t want to completely miss it!

Giveaway-Books-Image

Blurb:

Heā€™s a wolf in a kilt. That pretty much says it allā€¦

Pulling off a rescue mission at a remote castle in Scotland should be an easy task for lone wolf Damon Black. Heā€™ll flash some muscle, show a little Alpha power, and do whatever it takes to ease Addie MacShayā€™s fears. But the woman who throws herself into his arms and cries boyfriend is more intriguing than anticipated. The sexy she-wolfā€™s got more curves, more tantalizing scent, more of everything he desires.

Addieā€™s job cataloguing an estate at the Sterling-Wylde Manor is complicated by the ongoing discovery of new wills and the two creepy heirs who wonā€™t leave her alone. But her fake boyfriend turns out to be a far greater threatā€”not only is he fun and flirtatious, he looks delicious in a kilt. She craves his touch, but with her empathic skills on overdrive, touch is the last thing she needs.

Damonā€™s fighting his unruly inner beast. Addieā€™s fighting their incredible sexual pull. Theyā€™ll both have to lower their guard to make this more than a Highland fling.

Buy links:
Amazon ā€“ http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZLQU4V8
Barnes & Noble ā€“ http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/laird-wolf-vivian-arend/1122058329?ean=2940152168273
iBooks ā€“ https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/laird-wolf/id1005826376?mt=11
Kobo ā€“ https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/laird-wolf
All Romance eBooks ā€“ https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-lairdwolf-1845408-140.html
GooglePlay ā€“ https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Vivian_Arend_Laird_Wolf?id=iXwLCgAAQBAJ&hl=en

About the Author: Vivian Arend in one word: Adventurous. In a sentence: Willing to try just about anything once. That wide-eyed attitude has taken her around North America, through parts of Europe, and into Central and South America, often with no running water.

Her optimistic outlook also meant that when challenged to write a book, she gave it a shot, and discovered creating worlds to play in was nearly as addictive as traveling the real one. Now a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of both contemporary and paranormal stories, Vivian continues to explore, write and otherwise keep herself well entertained.

Website: www.vivianarend.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/vivianarend
Facebook: www.facebook.com/vivianarend
Newsletter: www.bit.ly/1f0Bcgk

GiveawaysVivian is giving away one 6ā€ Kindle, along with an assortment of shifter books, AND a wolfie in a kilt!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!


Tagged: , ,

Review: Shards of Hope by Nalini Singh

Posted July 31, 2015 by Holly in Reviews | 2 Comments

Review: Shards of Hope by Nalini SinghReviewer: Holly
Shards of Hope by Nalini Singh
Series: Psy/Changeling #14
Also in this series: Mine to Possess, Hostage to Pleasure, The Magical Christmas Cat , Kiss of Snow, Tangle of Need, Slave to Sensation , Wild Invitation, Heart of Obsidian, Shield of Winter, Shield of Winter, Visions of Heat, Mine to Possess, Caressed By Ice, Branded by Fire, Blaze of Memory, Mine to Possess, Hostage to Pleasure, Hostage to Pleasure, Shards of Hope, Heart of Obsidian, Caressed By Ice, Branded by Fire, Blaze of Memory, Play of Passion, Allegiance of Honor, Kiss of Snow, Tangle of Need, Shield of Winter, Shards of Hope, Allegiance of Honor, Allegiance of Honor, Wild Embrace, Wild Embrace, Wild Embrace, Silver Silence, Silver Silence, Tangle of Need, Ocean Light, Ocean Light , Caressed By Ice, Wolf Rain
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Date: June 2nd 2015
Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction
Pages: 496
Add It: Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
four-stars
Series Rating: five-stars

The ā€œsmoldering heat, epic romance, and awesome actionā€* of Nalini Singhā€™s New York Times bestselling series continues as two Arrows find themselves caught in a chilling conspiracy that spans all three racesā€¦
Awakening wounded in a darkened cell, their psychic abilities blocked, Aden and Zaira know they must escape. But when the lethal soldiers break free from their mysterious prison, they find themselves in a harsh, inhospitable landscape far from civilization. Their only hope for survival is to make it to the hidden home of a predatory changeling pack that doesnā€™t welcome outsiders.
And they must survive. A shadowy enemy has put a target on the back of the Arrow squad, an enemy that cannot be permitted to succeed in its deadly campaign. Aden will cross any line to keep his people safe for this new future, where even an assassin might have hope of a life beyond blood and death and pain. Zaira has no such hope. She knows sheā€™s too damaged to return from the abyss. Her driving goal is to protect Aden, protect the only person who has ever come back for her no matter what. This time, even Adenā€™s passionate determination may not be enoughā€”because the emotionless chill of Silence existed for a reason. For the violent, and the insane, and the irreparably brokenā€¦like Zaira.
*Jaci Burton, New York Times bestselling author

 

I loved Aden going into this book, and he didn’t disappoint. Zaira was the wild card. I didn’t dislike her in previous books, as I don’t think we got to know her very well, but I was a little leery about her as Aden’s heroine. She ended up being my favorite part of the book. She was fierce, loyal and 100% behind Aden in everything.

Aden and Zaira wake up in an unknown location with no recollection of how they got there and their Psy abilities blocked. They managed to escape but both are severely injured and they find a device in the back of their skulls that is blocking their Psy powers – and also keeping them from being found by teleporters like Vasic and Kaleb Krycheck – they must remove. They’re discovered by a local changeling pack and taken in, but their abilities are still offline and they don’t know who they can trust.

In the meantime, Aden has realized Zaira is the one for him. He wants her as his partner, but she doesn’t feel she can offer him anything but camaraderie and friendship. Due to abuse she suffered as a child, she has a hard time connecting emotionally to anyone. Not to mention the huge amount of rage she carries inside her that she’s afraid will come out and harm someone. Her biggest fear is that she’ll accept Aden is hers, then kill anyone who tries to get between them, befriend him or harm him. Basically she thinks he deserves better.

Aden knows all of Zaira’s secrets and understands why she tries to keep distance between them, but he knows she’s worth fighting for. Convincing her to fight as well is the biggest problem, but he knows if she commits there will be no going back. As they hunt for the ones hunting them, Aden works on gaining Zaira’s trust enough to let go with him.

This was an action-packed read from page one. I was sucked in right from the beginning when Aden and Zaira wake up in a holding cell with their psy-abilities cut off. Singh has beenĀ tugging several threads over the last few books, and the progression of the overreaching story arc really worked for me. I especially loved finding out what Aden’s ability is and seeing how the squad stands behind him.

Though I’ll admit, for all I enjoyed the story, it isn’t my favorite of the series. Parts of it were a bit slow moving and I didn’t feel the connection to the story I experienced with Heart of Obsidian or some of the other books.

I love this world and those who inhabit it. Singh’s imagination and world-building make this a must read series.

4.25 out of 5

This book is available from Berkley. You can buy it here or here in e-format. This book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

four-stars


Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

Review: Six Months by Dannika Dark

Posted July 30, 2015 by Holly in Reviews | 1 Comment

Review: Six Months by Dannika DarkReviewer: Holly
Six Months by Dannika Dark
Series: Seven Series #2
Also in this series: Seven Years, Five Weeks (Seven Series #3)

Publication Date: September 4th 2014
Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, New Adult
Pages: 342
Add It: Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
two-half-stars
Series Rating: three-stars

Paranormal Romance, Book 2 by USA Today Bestselling Author, Dannika Dark
Destiny will find you.April Frost is a compassionate young woman with a steady job and ambitious goals. But the harder she runs away from her past, the more it threatens to destroy her. When three strangers enter her life, April is forced to face her demons and it's a battle she may not win.
Private investigators in the Breed world are men who take risks, and Reno Cole is no exception. As a Shifter, he's expected to control his inner animal. But lately his wolf has been venturing dangerously close to the city, and he's about to discover why. When Reno is reintroduced to a family friend, the attraction is immediate. April captivates him with her secretive eyes and resilient spirit. She's also in trouble, and despite the fact she's a human, Reno can't turn his back on her.
April is caught between two worlds: One that threatens to bury her dreams and another that could fulfill them. Can she trust the wolf at her door and find the courage to overcome her demons?
18+Full-length novelCliffhanger-freeHEANew Adult PNR
SEVEN SERIES READING ORDER:Book 1 - Seven Years (Seven Series #1)Book 2 - Six Months (Seven Series #2)Book 3 - Five Weeks (Seven Series #3)Book 4 - Four Days (Seven Series #4)Book 5 - Three Hours (Seven Series #5)Book 6: Two Minutes (Seven Series #6)
MAGERI SERIES READING ORDER:Book 1 - Sterling (Mageri Series: Book 1)Book 2 - Twist (Mageri Series: Book 2)Book 3 - Impulse (Mageri Series: Book 3)Book 4 - Gravity (Mageri Series: Book 4)Book 5 - Shine (Mageri Series: Book 5) Final Installment!
OTHER BOOKS:Closer: A Novella
Keywords:
alpha male, hero, paranormal romance, romantic comedy, urban fantasy, wolf, wolves, werewolf, shifters, pack, supernatural, alpha, biker, rocker, rock star, native american, sweethearts, best friends, hea, cliffhanger free, series, family, brothers, romance, heroine, action, adventure, vampires, mages, fantasy, novel, series, mageri, sexy, steamy, brilliant, southern, texas, bestseller, lad, bloke, naughty, mage, vampire, realistic love story, tattoos, tatted, hot cars, fairy tale

I struggled more with this book than the first. The heroine made some questionable decisions that really took me out of the story.

When her grandmother died, April inherited a crappy trailer and a mountain of debt. She worked hard to pay her grandmother’s debts, but just when she thought she could see the light at the end of the tunnel a loan shark showed up out of nowhere to call in yet another one.He isn’t the kind of guy you say no to, so she ends up stealing money from her job (the heroine of book 1 owns the candy shop where April works), then borrowing from another loan shark to pay it back.

She meets Reno, the brother of her boss’s boyfriend, and he becomes really protective of her. She’s surprised at how good it feels to have someone take care of her and be there for her. But when another of Reno’s brothers discovers that she stole money from her work (even though she put it back), she knows she can’t expect Reno to stay with her.

I wanted to like April, but her thoughts and feelings after being caught stealing from her company didn’t really work for me. She felt bad for doing it, but aside from a thought or two about how she shouldn’t have done that, she just kind of brushes it aside. Since the book is written in first-person from her point-of-view, I expected to see her thoughts be filled with guilt and remorse. Not that I wanted the entire book to be nothing but her being eaten with guilt, but I don’t think we really saw any remorse for what she did.

I could have gotten past that, but from there things just go downhill. She constantly makes questionable decisions that put her in danger. She refuses to accept help even when it’s freely offered. She constantly pushes RenoĀ away. Every time I’d start to like her or feel sorry for her, she’d make another dumb choice that would kill all sympathetic feelings.

I liked the family ties we felt in the first book, and I thought that was missing here. The romance was well built in the first half of the book, but I thought it fizzled some in the latter half.

I plan to continue on with the series, but I hope the next book is better than this one.

2.25 out of 5

 

two-half-stars


Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Review: A Million Times Goodnight by Kristina McBride

Posted July 30, 2015 by Rowena in Reviews | 0 Comments

Review: A Million Times Goodnight by Kristina McBrideReviewer: Rowena
A Million Times Goodnight by Kristina McBride
Publisher: Egmont USA
Publication Date: July 28th 2015
Genres: Young Adult
Add It: Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
one-star

A teen Sliding Doors. One choice creates parallel dual narratives in this romantic contemporary mystery-thriller perfect for fans of Just Like Fate and Pivot Point.

One Night. Two Paths. Infinite Danger.

On the night of the big Spring Break party, Hadley "borrows" her boyfriend Ben's car without telling him. As payback, he posts a naked picture of her online for the entire senior class to see.

Now Hadley has a choice: go back to the party and force Ben to delete the picture or raise the stakes and take his beloved car on a road trip as far away from their hometown of Oak Grove, Ohio, as she can get.

Chapters alternate to reveal each possible future as Hadley, her ex-boyfriend, Josh, and her best friends embark on a night of reckless adventure where old feelings are rekindled, friendships are tested, and secrets are uncovered that are so much worse than a scandalous photo.

Like a teen Sliding Doors, A Million Times Goodnight is a fast-paced romantic contemporary thriller for fans of Just Like Fate and Pivot Point.

The last book that I read by McBride stayed with me for days, I want to say even weeks. The characters, the story line, everything about that book broke my heart and I just couldn’t move on. I didn’t love the book but it was compelling and interesting, that I couldn’t put it down. When I found out that she was coming out with another book, I knew that I was going to read it. How could I not? So when I finally picked this one up for review and opened the book to start, I was disappointed that right from the jump, I didn’t like it. I don’t even know why I kept reading because the book never got better for me.

Now, I haven’t seen Sliding Doors but I did read Pivot Point by Kasie West and enjoyed it so I thought that I would be okay while reading this book but I was confused for a huge chunk of the book. I’m not sure if it was the eARC that I got or the way that the book is written but for me, it was all over the place. I kept getting sucked out of the book because I had to go back and re-read what I just finished reading and put the pieces together in my mind so that I could figure out which timeline we were in. I didn’t think it was a seamless transition from one timeline to the other.

My disappointment kept mounting when Hadley would make stupid decision after stupid decision (in both timelines) and then everyone else in the book. I hated the way that everyone in town treated Josh, I hated the way that Hadley used Josh and basically forced him into it by telling him that he owed her. I think I kept reading because I wanted to find out what the hell happened the night Penny died and what exactly Josh was guilty of. There were even times when I wanted to punch Josh in the throat. Nobody was safe from me.

The whole Hadley stole Ben’s car to have a memorial moment with her friends over her best friend’s death (the night was the one year mark of Penny’s death so Hadley and her friends drove to the last place that Penny was alive for a moment of silence and to just remember her and miss her together) so a pissed off Ben posts a naked picture of Hadley on FB and the picture goes viral pissed me off. What a freaking asshole to do something like that. He knew that Hadley was coming back and I get that he was pissed but what he did had lasting effects on Hadley’s life. He got his car back. Nothing in his life was going to change but Hadley couldn’t say the same.

But holy cow, Hadley is stupid too. In one timelime, she steals Ben’s car and goes on a little road trip, bar hopping with her friends and Josh. WTF? Brooklyn’s older brother gets fake IDs for Brooklyn and her friends so that they can get drunk wherever they wanted (he got all of them fake ids so they could all drink – who the hell was going to drive them home after they were all drunk? Seriously, WTF?) but he was pissed that Josh was them? He gets all in Josh’s face because of what happened to Penny, but he’s okay with his underage little sister bar hopping and doing who knows what??? What a dickhead. In the other timeline, they all head back to the party and while I liked that timeline better, it didn’t come without it’s share of WTF-ness.

There were plenty of times that I almost DNF’d it but I wanted to know how this whole thing would turn out and I wanted to find out which timeline was the real timeline. I shouldn’t have bothered because I closed the damn book with a scowl on my face because I didn’t like it. Ugh.

Grade: 1 out of 5

This book is available from Egmont USA. You can purchase it here or here in e-format. This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

one-star


Tagged: , , , , , , ,