Come Alive by Jessica Hawkins

Title: Come Alive
Author: Jessica Hawkins
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: May 30th, 2013
Publisher: Self-Published
Pages: 275
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: Netgalley
Interest: Series
Others in the Series: Come Undone
Age Group: Adult

Determined to move on with her life, Olivia Germaine has vowed to forget David Dylan. Struggling to keep her head above water, she focuses on her new promotion and refuses to drown in the memory of their night together.

But when Olivia realizes what life without David means, she must decide if she is willing to risk everything for him . . . and if she is ready to reopen the wounds of her past.

Can Olivia move forward with her marriage despite her feelings for David?

And can David stay away like he promised?

Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god.

So, this is one of those books where the people that are around me while I'm reading this wished that I was illiterate.

The way I wanted so badly to just jump Olivia and end her was so profound. I understand her, the commitment she made to Bill. But come on! The feels! The feels for David Dylan! They are there; I can see it, Pluto can see, all can see it except her!

David Dylan, I want you. Olivia might be difficult, but I will take you.

I just don't understand who would put themselves into that type of suffering. The way these two are, there is just no denying their attraction and their emotions for each other.

The whole thing was such an emotional roller coaster, I wasn't sure if I would come off of it in one piece, to be honest. I was pulling my hair at everything. I don't know how Hawkins does it, I honestly don't, because she is just a master at this.

The struggle that Olivia was facing and just how things were working out, or not working out in this case.

I still cannot believe I have to wait until September for the last book. One thing Hawkins has going for her is the fact that she keeps me wanting to come back for more and more!

Come Undone by Jessica Hawkings

Title: Come Undone
Author: Jessica Hawkins
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: January 1st, 2013
Publisher: Self-Published
Pages: 289
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: Netgalley
Interest: Series
Age Group: Adult

Olivia Germaine has already found love. Devoted wife, loyal friend, determined career woman - she’s created the life she always envisioned.

But when Olivia locks eyes with a handsome stranger across a crowded room, he peers a little too closely and sees emotions she thought she’d buried long ago.

David Dylan, alleged playboy and eternal bachelor, challenges Olivia to confront the life she’s built and to make decisions that could either lead to happiness . . . or regret.

Will Olivia be able to draw the line between lust and love?

And can David respect that line?

Can anyone say Best Erotic Literature of 2013?! I can, I can!

Okay, so maybe erotic isn't the genre this one falls under (even though there were plenty of scenes that had even me reaching for a glass of water) this romance novel is different and enjoyable. Hawkins never lost my attention throughout the book, and I am so glad I got the chance to read it!

At first, when I saw that this was bout a married woman possibly cheating, I thought I would hate her. I do, but only because she's so stubborn! I understand how she must feel and what she would be going through, but I just wanted to smack some sense into her or at least pray she sees the light soon.

The tension between her and David was so hot that if someone even thought of lighting a match it would start a huge fire.

I read this in one night, there was no sleeping until I found out what happened at the end.

I thought I would end up dying in the end when I saw where Hawkins left me. I am so glad that there was a second book and that there will be a third! I am so happy and so sad, because of the wait.

This is one of those moments when I wish that authors would write faster!

Still love this series though. It isn't just about the romance and the sex, but about finding oneself.

So, I have to say, this is the Best Romance Book of 2013! Heck, maybe it can even have both made up awards.

All I Need by Susane Colasanti

Title: All I Need
Author: Susane Colasanti
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: May 21st, 2013
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Pages: 240
Format: Hardcover
Acquired: BEA 2013
Age Group: Young Adult

The last night of summer is only the beginning.

Skye wants to meet the boy who will change her life forever. Seth feels their instant connection the second he sees her. When Seth starts talking to Skye at the last beach party of the summer, it’s obvious to both of them that this is something real. But when Seth leaves for college before they exchange contact info, Skye wonders if he felt the same way she did—and if she will ever see him again. Even if they find their way back to each other, can they make a long-distance relationship work despite trust issues, ex drama, and some serious background differences?

Teen favorite Susane Colasanti returns to the alternating-voice style of her beloved debut When It Happens in this Serendipity-inspired story about summer, soul mates, and the moments that change our lives forever

My first Susane Colasanti novel and I must say, this was worth it! A quick, fast, fun read about summer romancing. While I may never have one (then again, we can never say never) it was interesting the way this novel played out. Believe me, the line waiting (and the sore feet) I had to do at BEA in order to get this book was well worth it.

When Skye meets Seth, it's a summer romance waiting to happen. Skye, though, is still a high school junior, while Seth is off to college. Not only that, but they have their socioeconomic differences that come between the two throughout the novel.

While simple, this book still touched on a lot of really important and real life issues; not just for those in high school, but those in college.

I absolutely adored the changes in point of view throughout the book. Between Skye and Seth, I had a lot of fun getting into the mind of a guy.

The whole thing was entertaining and made me like this book a whole lot more.

Colasanti is wonderful.

Last Breath by Rachel Caine

Title: Last Breath
Author: Rachel Caine
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: November 1st, 2011
Publisher: NAL Trade
Pages: 335
Format: Paperback
Acquired: Bought
Interest: Series
Others in the Series: Glass House, The Dead Girl's Dance, Midnight Alley, Feast of Fools, Lord of Misrule, Carpe Corpus, Fade Out, Kiss of Death, Ghost Town and Bite Club
Age Group: Young Adult

With her boss preoccupied researching the Founder Houses in Morganville, student Claire Danvers is left to her own devices when she learns that three vampires have vanished without a trace. She soon discovers that the last person seen with one of the missing vampires is someone new to town-a mysterious individual named Magnus. After an uneasy encounter with Morganville's latest resident, Claire is certain Magnus isn't merely human. But is he a vampire-or something else entirely

Rachel Caine does it again by blowing me away!

Usually, in a series that is this long, I always fear that the interest will die away and that the characters will no longer be interesting, but that is not the case with this book series. If anything, they just keep getting better and better.

I absolutely love how Caine changes things up, which is why things become so interesting, I feel. Now the readers are no longer just looking at Claire's point of view, but looking into Shane, Eve, Michael, and even Amelie. Now that was interesting, to say the least.

As for Eve and Michael, all I can say is that the chick is really grinding on my last nerve. I mean, marriage, really? She was okay in the beginning, but now she's just irritating me and I really don't like her. And then she has this bad habit of complaining on just about everything and all I can think is, Why is she still around?

Shane and Claire are just as cute as ever.

Of course, things took an interesting twist that left me, well, with my last breath (no pun intended). Caine finds new and better ways to keep the interest alive, and she is winning.

Ghost Town by Rachel Caine

Title: Ghost Town
Author: Rachel Caine
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: October 26th, 2010
Publisher: NAL Trade
Pages: 338
Format: Paperback
Acquired: Bought
Interest: Series
Others in the Series: Glass House, The Dead Girl's Dance, Midnight Alley, Feast of Fools, Lord of Misrule, Carpe Corpus, Fade Out, and Kiss of Death
Age Group: Young Adult

While developing a new system to maintain Morganville's defenses, student Claire Danvers discovers a way to amplify vampire mental powers. Through this, she's able to re-establish the field around this vampire-infested Texas college town that protects it from outsiders.

But the new upgrades have an unexpected consequence: people inside the town begin to slowly forget who they are-even the vampires. Soon, the town's little memory problem has turned into a full-on epidemic. Now Claire needs to figure out a way to pull the plug on her experiment- before she forgets how to save Morganville...

As many of you know, I was reading these books in volumes as they came out, but it has been well over a year since the last volume was released and I was getting impatient and needed my Morganville fix, so instead of waiting, I just got the rest of the books individually. Now, I'm just waiting for the last one.

And what a fix I needed. I have been on a nonstop Morganville Vampires marathon since I got the books, which for those of you that follow me on Instagram know that I got a lot of them.

First can I say how much I love the cover? I looked back at some of the covers for the earlier books, and this I have to say is so much better. The other books that followed afterwards also look amazing. And I love the color schemes that they got going on.

Now, to the story. Rachel Caine has developed the characters beautifully. Even though it has been awhile since I last read anything Morganville I love how I'm able to pick this up and still be able to remember everything that occurred in the last novels. And I'm able to remember how the characters are and compare them to now. It's crazy how things happen.

I'm so glad there was much more of Amelie and Oliver.

Also, is it just me or do the vampires get much deadlier in this book and those that follow? I feel like they do, which just reminds me how vampires are supposed to be. Deadly and fierce.

Rachel Caine is a genius and I absolutely love this series. I love it so, so much!

The Pleasures of Summer by Evie Hunter

Title: The Pleasures of Summer
Author: Evie Hunter
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: May 30th, 2013
Publisher: Penguin Ireland
Pages: 448
Format: Electronic
Acquired: From Publisher
Interest: Series
Others in the Series: The Pleasures of Winter
Age Group: Adult

The Pleasures of Summer is a steamy erotic story of romantic obsession and explosive sexual chemistry for fans of Fifty Shades of Grey, The Pleasures of Winter and Sylvia Day's stories.

Summer O'Sullivan is rich, beautiful and in mortal danger. Her father has made powerful enemies who are targeting his precious daughter. Until the threat passes, Summer needs a bodyguard - someone to protect her and, she expects, to treat her with the reverence she's used to.

Into Summer's gilded cage comes former ranger, Flynn Grant. As far as Flynn is concerned, this is the assignment from hell, minding the spoilt daughter of a multi-millionaire. Summer and Flynn are poised to hate each other on sight. Even his devastating looks do not make up for how Flynn's rules cramp Summer's style. Unsurprisingly, the sparks fly between them. But when Summer breaks the rules one time too often, Flynn teaches her a lesson that leaves them shattered - and bound together in a way that astonishes them both.

In their remote hideout, the two start a battle over who is the tamer, and who is the tamed. It's a duel that stretches their minds and bodies beyond every limit. And in time their hearts begin to surrender too.

But when the dark forces that have been stalking Summer finally track them down, the battle is no longer a game, but a matter of life and death ...

Evie Hunter does it again! The companion to the first steamy novel in this wonderful series, the authors continue the tale with Summer and Flynn.

Summer is a spoiled socialite, who loves parties and having a good time. But Summer's in danger, because somebody is after her. After an accident, Summer's father decides to give her a body guard. She does her best to run off as many of them as possible, until Flynn comes along. And he's not so easy to scare away.

Flynn may just have met his match in Summer. She's sexy and tempting, a forbidden fruit that he has to taste. But she's a job, and he should never get involved with someone in the job.

Now isolated, the two of them are confronted with temptation at every turn. Flynn to keep his hands from her, and Summer doing her best to seduce him in order to get her way. With emotions running high on both ends it'll be a test of wills to see who bends first.

Honestly, this book was just as good as the first one. Summer proved to be an incredibly headache and Flynn to be a man not to mess with. Whatever was going on between the two, I don't even know what to call it, was there from the moment they met and Hunter never let it go!

This novel had me and wouldn't let me go. I never had a reason to stop reading this book, and I'm so glad that I did get the chance to read it. As erotic literature goes, I'd say this novel would be in the top ten of amazing books to read in the genre.

And there's going to be a third book! You all don't even know how excited I am right now! I can't wait to see what comes next, because there is no stopping the awesome team work of Evie Hunter!

Fever by Maya Banks

Title: Fever
Author: Maya Banks
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: April 2nd, 2013
Publisher: Berkley
Pages: 416
Format: Paperback
Acquired: Bought
Interest: Series
Others in the Series: Rush
Age Group: Adult

Jace, Ash, and Gabe: three of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the country. They’re accustomed to getting anything they want. Anything at all. For Jace, it’s a woman whose allure takes him completely by surprise...

Jace Crestwell, Ash McIntyre, and Gabe Hamilton have been best friends and successful business partners for years. They’re powerful, they’re imposing, they’re irresistibly sexy, and Jace and Ash share everything—including their women.

When they meet Bethany, Jace begins to feel things he’s never experienced before: jealousy, and a powerful obsession that threatens him, overwhelms him—and excites him beyond control.

Jace isn’t sharing Bethany—with anyone. He’s determined to be the only man in her life, and it’s jeopardizing a lifelong friendship with Ash. Bethany will be his and his alone. Even if it means turning his back on his best friend

I have to say, I absolutely loved this story way better than the first one and that is rare! When it comes to series, I always love the first novel much better, but this book, I have to say, deserves all five stars.

First, we read about Gabe, and now we read about Mia's older brother Jace. Normally, his sexual behaviors involve his pal Ash (not together, but threesomes are something both men are use to), but this time things change. Bethany, a young homeless girl who walks into Jace's life, and he immediately takes control.

Both characters were extremely strong and developed greatly!

While Jace loves Bethany dearly, there is no getting around his jealousy and distrust towards her, and for Bethany, there's no letting go of something that ties her to the past. While I was irritated for a good large portion, I did slowly start to come around and found how much I loved these two.

Way more than Mia and Gabe, that's for sure.

Jace slowly introduced Bethany to his world, and adjusted her well. There were moments that he went too rough, not in the bedroom (even though a lot of that happened as well) but in the relationship as a whole. His distrust in her and the things that she had to face.

The novel sucked me in right away, and I found myself enjoying! I was sad to see it end so soon! Love this novel!

Rush by Maya Banks

Title: Rush
Author: Maya Banks
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: February 5th, 2013
Publisher: Berkley
Pages: 396
Format: Paperback
Acquired: Bought
Interest: Series
Age Group: Adult

Gabe, Jace, and Ash: three of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the country. They’re accustomed to getting anything they want. Anything at all. For Gabe, it’s making one particular fantasy come true with a woman who was forbidden fruit. Now she’s ripe for the picking...

When Gabe Hamilton saw Mia Crestwell walk into the ballroom for his hotel’s grand opening, he knew he was going to hell for what he had planned. After all, Mia is his best friend’s little sister. Except she’s not so little anymore. And Gabe has waited a long time to act on his desires.

Gabe has starred in Mia’s fantasies more than once, ever since she was a teenager with a huge crush on her brother’s best friend. So what if Gabe’s fourteen years older? Mia knows he’s way out of her league, but her attraction has only grown stronger with time. She’s an adult now, and there’s no reason not to act on her most secret desires.

As Gabe pulls her into his provocative world, she realizes there’s a lot she doesn’t know about him or how exacting his demands can be. Their relationship is intense and obsessive, but as they cross the line from secret sexual odyssey to something deeper, their affair runs the risk of being exposed—and vulnerable to a betrayal far more intimate than either expected

So, at this point I have read more than my fair share of erotic literature. In fact, I think I've read enough to probably classify me as a pervert or someone who just really likes erotica. Anyways, moving on, I have already made it clear how much I love Maya Banks, this is not any different.

Honestly, this novel had me reaching for a glass of water when I read the scenes between Mia and Gabe. Those two. My goodness.

I am officially in love with Gabe, Jace, and Ash. All three men are hilariously sexy and they are wonderful!

The relationship between Mia and Gabe was steaming from the very first page. Like I said, they had me reaching for a glass of water things were getting just a little too steamy.

Maya Banks brought such romance into this novel. It was great.

A little awkward how things turned out, and I wanted to hurt Gabe, but I guess there had to be some sort of drama.

I'm happy though that this novel wasn't just about sex. There was a lot more that took place that brought the story full circle. And a lot of awesome story development.

Amazing story!

The only thing I didn't like, which I happily skipped because I knew it would be a train wreck the moment that it happened is what Gabe had done to Mia during Paris. I can't go too much into it, but all I can say is that if it had been me, I probably would have left him. I try not to dwell too much on that part, but I can't deny that it didn't happen. Gabe has issues and I was sorry to see that it was Mia to get hurt the way she did.

I feel like she should have punished him just a little more for what he did. Like I said, I'm not as forgiving as her. 

The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg

Title: The Lonely Hearts Club
Author: Elizabeth Eulberg
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: January 1st, 2010
Publisher: Point
Pages: 290
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: Bought
Age Group: Young Adult

Love is all you need... or is it? Penny's about to find out in this wonderful debut.

Penny is sick of boys and sick of dating. So she vows: no more. It's a personal choice. . .and, of course, soon everyone wants to know about it. And a few other girls are inspired. A movement is born: The Lonely Hearts Club (named after the band from Sgt. Pepper). Penny is suddenly known for her nondating ways . . . which is too bad, because there's this certain boy she can't help but like. . . .

This is the first time I'm reading an Elizabeth Eulberg book, even though pretty much all her books are on my TBR pile and I am really excited I got to read this.

This was a quick read and I found it incredibly enjoyable.

Penny was a fantastic girl. She had a lot to work on and I'm glad she was able to grow from all her experiences. I kind of wish there had been a Lonely Hearts Club in my school, or that I had been smart enough to do one myself. I felt bad for her, but I was glad that she was able to move forward from that jerk.

I also learned a lot about the Beatles from her Beatles-loving-slightly-obsessed-parents. There were some characters that really surprised me, and I was glad about that. Eulberg didn't make her novel blatantly obvious. She had a lot of good tricks up her sleeves that brought the novel to life in interesting ways.

If you haven't read this book yet, don't waste time and I get going! It is unforgettable!

Love Unscripted by Tina Reber

Title: Love Unscripted
Author: Tina Reber
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: January 1st, 2013
Publisher: Atria Books
Pages: 592
Acquired: Netgalley
Format: Electronic Copy
Interest: Series
Age Group: Adult

An A-List Movie Star…
Ryan Christensen just wanted to be an actor. Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine a life where fans would chase him, paparazzi would stalk him, and Hollywood studios would want to own him. While filming in Seaport, Rhode Island, Ryan ducks into a neighborhood bar for a quick escape from legions of screaming fans…and finds much more than he expected.

A Small Town Girl…
Nursing a recent heartbreak, Taryn Mitchell believes men are best kept at a safe distance. But when Ryan Christensen unexpectedly bursts through the front door of her pub, she can’t help but be drawn in by his humor, charm, and undeniable good looks. At six foot two, with dirty blond hair, blue eyes, and an incredible body, Ryan has every girl in Seaport swooning. But Taryn isn’t every other girl.

A Relationship that Doesn’t Follow the Script…
Despite her better judgment, Taryn soon finds herself falling hard for Ryan. But is their bond strong enough to survive the tabloid headlines, the relentless paparazzi, and the jealous fans who seem determined to tear them apart?

This was my first DNF book of 2013, I believe. I can't give a very good review and I'm almost afraid of writing any type of review at all because this book just did not hold my attention.

I think I almost made it to page two hundred before I realized what a struggle this book was becoming. I was forcing myself into reading and liking this book as much as possible because it sounded like something I would like. I've read books like this before so I didn't think it would be that big of a deal, but the story just dragged in ways that didn't interest me at all.

The characters were meh. The plot line was dragging. I just wasn't feeling it at all. Like I said, there's not much I can really say about it.

Deeper We Fall by Chelsea M. Cameron

I participated in the blog tour hosted by Giselle from Xpresso Book Tours 

Title: Deeper We Fall

Author: Chelsea M. Cameron
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook

Release Date: January 24th, 2013

Publisher: DRC Publishing 

Pages: 280

Format: Electronic Copy

Acquired: From Author 

Interest: Series

Age Group: Young Adult

Two years after her best friend was involved in a car accident that caused a traumatic brain injury, Lottie Anders is ready to start her freshman year of college. Ready to move on. Ready to start forgetting the night that ripped her life apart.

Her plans come to a screeching halt when not one, but both brothers responsible for the accident end up back in her life again.

Zack is cruel, selfish and constantly rubbing what happened to her friend in Lottie's face.

Zan is different. He listens to her awkward ramblings. He loves "To Kill a Mockingbird" as much as she does, and his dark eyes are irresistible. His words are few and far between, but when he does speak, she can't help but listen.

The trouble is, Zan was the driver in the accident, and now Lottie's discovered he lied to her about what happened that night. Now she must decide if trusting him again will lead to real forgiveness, or deeper heartache.

 Acceptance. Forgiveness. Love. Redemption.

This novel really took me by surprise. It was interesting reading it, after not reading for what feels like a long time. It was a "wake up" call, in a sense, because I almost forgot what it was like to read something so well written with characters that take you in right away. This novel swept me away from the beginning and I was happy to get the chance to review it.

Lottie's life is all about moving on and forgetting, ever since a car accident that left her best friend with a traumatic brain injury. She feels like college is just the escape that she needs, until the men responsible for the car accident reappear in her life. One who enjoys to bring back the cruel past that Lottie thought she could leave behind, and the other who she finds herself attracted to.

But is two years enough to forgive? And if not, is there ever a chance for such a thing? These are the questions that Lottie is facing as she realizes that there are two roads ahead of her: One that would involve running from her past or the other that would open the doors to those that have hurt her.

This novel opened up a lot of questions and the way that Cameron drove these characters I felt was great. I loved them all (Zack only because he lived up to his reputation), and Cameron didn't make the choice that Lottie had to face very obvious; the readers were kept at the edge of their seat the whole time.

I would recommend this book heavily.

Love's Forbidden Flower by Diane Rinella

 

I participated in the blog tour hosted by Giselle from Xpresso Book Tours

Title: Love's Forbidden Flower
Author: Diane Rinella
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: November 28th, 2012
Publisher: Midnight to six
Pages: 309
Format: Electronic
Acquired: From Author; Blog Tour
Interest: Series
Age Group: Young Adult

The heart cares not what society forbids.

Lily nurtures a secret love for a flawless man—the one who is her soul mate. Donovan is gorgeous, charismatic, and delights in all of Lily’s talents and quirks. Their innate knowledge of each other is almost telepathic. Together they interlock like fine threads creating luxurious silk.

But society dictates this picture-perfect adoration is the ghastliest of all possibilities.

As Lily embarks on a quest for the romance the heavens intended, her suitor turns reluctant. Desperate to uncover why Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hiding decayed from a tender-hearted gentleman into a ferociously self-serving, cocky bastard, Lily is prepared for battle when it comes to the salvation of her soul mate. However, Donovan traps Lily in a mental game of chess, leaving her to question his sanity. When Lily’s revelations about Donovan’s destructive alter ego lead to an inconceivable truth, can she help Donovan survive fate’s cruel joke?

Impassioned, witty, and deeply moving, Love’s Forbidden Flower is filled with stunning controversies that will forever haunt your heart

I honestly don't even know how to start this review or even what to say in general.

To me, Rinella presented a wonderfully crafted tale that you expect to be just a simple ride and are instead blown into another world of love. And her writing! I'm in love. The way she wrote and showed Lily's murky thoughts put me straight into Lily's shoes.

There was a lot to take in: Sadness, happiness, romance, depression, confusion, patience - a whirlwind of other emotions that I started to question my own sanity.

When Lily gets trapped into a vicious game for the sake of her mind and the man she loves, how far will she go to get back what belongs to her? I wasn't sure how this story would play out and I had my doubts about even finishing it, because the confusion that I was sure would come. It's not easy to write a novel that leaves the reader trying to follow into the confusing haze that the characters live in, but when an author can do it, they can present a wonderful book.

Rinella takes the reader into a mind-playing game and the ending. Goosebumps. There really isn't much I can say, except to be prepared, I guess is the best way I can put it. Take it all in and just be prepared for anything because this book is not what it seems.

The Kings of Charleston by Kat H. Clayton

I participated in the blog tour hosted by Giselle from Xpresso Book Tours

Title: The Kings of Charleston
Author: Kat H. Clayton
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: July 10th, 2012
Publisher: Self-Published
Pages: 348
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: From Author
Interest: Series
Age Group: Young Adult

Casper Whitley is forced to move to Charleston, South Carolina where she’ll be the new kid her senior year of high school. Casper’s upset about the move until she meets the Roman family’s gorgeous son, Cal, but there’s a problem. A mystery surrounds him which can be summed up in one word…Kythera. Never heard of it? Neither has Casper until she finds the word tattooed on cars, paintings and all her new friends.

After Casper’s life is threatened, someone is forced to tell the truth about her parents, the Romans and Kythera’s motives for her being in Charleston. Once the truth is revealed, she must decide whether to protect her family and Kythera’s secrets or walk away from everything she has ever known

A fun mixture of romance and mystery all thrown together into one big novel, where a central theme keeps asking the same question and wondering what is going on.

When Casper moves to Charleston, South Carolina she finds more there than what she had originally anticipated, especially when it comes to Cal and his family. And when it comes to the town as a whole and the one mysterious word: Kythera.

Why I liked the mystery aspect of this so well is that Clayton didn't say that 2+ blank = 5. She gave an entire equation into the mystery instead of laying it out for the reader to see, and that added to the tangled mystery and how it worked to the benefit of the story as a whole.

Her writing, on top of that, was amazing. The words connected and drew the readers in from page one. The one thing that kept going was on what Kythera meant, and just who was Casper herself.

And of course the story between Casper and Cal - well, I'm always a sucker for a good romance. 

While there were a lot of great aspects to the story, some parts left me a little shaky. One of them had to deal with the characters. Her writing was well, but sometimes I kept going back to the characters and seeing that there wasn't much development at all. While resolutions may have happened, I didn't see the growth that I would have liked.

And I think what set my teeth on edge a little was what happened in the end. I know this is a series, especially since book 2 is about to be released, so I wasn't expecting the wrap up that happened in this book until the last one or at least to let it hang over into the second novel. Yet, Clayton closed up like that was the final and even beginning a new plot, or at least from where I stood that's how it felt like.

Despite these moments, I still found the book enjoyable enough to make it to the end and even anticipate the second book.

Fraction of Stone by Kelley Lynn

I participated in the blog tour hosted by Giselle from Xpresso Book Tours

Title: Fraction of Stone
Author: Kelley Lynn
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: March 21st, 2013
Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing
Pages: 293
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: From Author
Interest: Series
Age Group: Young Adult

Wind tunnels, torrential rains and earthquakes tear apart Casden. The cause of the world’s imbalance is unknown, but the mounting occurrences suggest there’s little time before life ceases to exist.

Rydan Gale and Akara Nazreth are the only humans with the ability to wield magic. The tattoo on their necks and the discovery of an ancient book, dictate they are the key to the world’s survival.

But the greatest obstacle for saving mankind isn’t the bizarre creatures, extreme betrayals and magic-fearing men hunting them.

It’s that Akara doesn’t believe the world is worth saving

I have to say, I don't know what I loved more about this novel. The romance between Akara and Rydan or the plot that just take the reader away into another place.

Lynn really had me impressed me from the gripping beginning when Rydan finds Akara in jail, and the moment he sees her he knows that he has to take her with him. After Rydan takes Akara to his instructor, they both try to find answers to who they are: magic welding Namaqua people, the last two, actually, remaining in the world.

When they find out that they have the ability to save the world, Akara is not interested. The girl has had a rough life and doesn't want to save a world that has abused her greatly.

And the journey and adventure that they take throughout the tale, facing crazy whether and evil Faris, who have been angered by Rydan's action in taking Akara in the first place.

The world made is wonderful and full of such imagination, I really want to know where Lynn got all this from.

This story sweeps you away in another place that you never been before and it is just wonderful. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!

Disconnect by Imran Siddiq

I participated in the blog tour hosted by Giselle from Xpresso Book Tours

Title: Disconnect
Author: Imran Siddiq
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: January 27th, 2013
Publisher: Flickimp Publishing
Pages: 277
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: From Author
Interest: Series
Age Group: Young Adult

Dirtying fingernails in sewers is fast approaching worthlessness for Zachary, a 16-year old Underworld scavenger. When footage of an Overworld girl, Rosa, is discovered, his intrigue heightens at why she expresses sadness with a lavish lifestyle.

In meeting Rosa, Zachary is scorned by her opinion of the deprived. She pities him and provides a means for them to communicate. With time, friendship and something he’s never felt grows; love for another human. Knowing Rosa calls him when it suits her isn’t enough; he wants to meet her, but how? Relationships in Underworld are few, let alone the impossibility with those above the ceiling.

Underworld will suffer when plans to conquer Jupiter’s moon, Europa move ahead. Worse is Rosa’s father, a disgraced Overworld ambassador, approving the plan.

Zachary must defeat the prejudice of the worlds, sneak within opposing forces, lose friends and challenge Rosa’s sadness. In doing so, a twisted secret is uncovered that may devour the reason he lives; Rosa.

In space, love had boundaries.

So, anyone who reads this blog knows that I am not a space fan. I really don't like books that center too much on space because it feels like there's too much alien and very bad connections with franchises I just don't like. So I tend to just keep to certain space books (although there is an exception to my rule but that's for another day).

But I am glad this book was very surprising in the way things turned out.

Zachary lives in the Underworld with his father where he spends his day rummaging through the trash that was dropped off from the Overworld in order to find materials to sell off. This is the way that Zachary is able to put food on the table. One day when he finds a communication device filled with materials about a girl from another place; one where Zachary wants to meet her and see.

His obsession over her and it doesn't help when he actually meets her. That's when things get rolling.

Siddiq has created an original world filled with political unrest and a divide that goes beyond even the scope of space.

When those at the top give orders to get rid of the Underworld people - who are considered nothing more than just garbage - everything falls to pieces quickly, and the worse part is that those on top will stop at nothing to get rid of those at the bottom. And one of those people is the Rosa's father himself.

It was simple and clean, and I liked the fact that the story was able to grow and the characters develop at a nice pace. I was surprised by how much I actually liked it and I would recommend this to just about anyone else who is a space lover but not a lover of alien attacks and the like.

Siddiq works to create a wonderful masterpiece.

First Visions by Heather Topham Wood

I participated in the blog tour hosted by Giselle from Xpresso Book Tours

Title: First Visions
Author: Heather Topham Wood
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: April 27th, 2012
Publisher: Self-Published
Pages: 230
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: From Author
Interest: Series
Age Group: Adult

Two years ago, 21-year-old Kate Edwards became deathly ill and slipped into a coma. While unconscious, she crept into the mind of a missing boy and awoke with the knowledge of his location. Friends and family were skeptical and wary of her new ability to see into the minds of others. Their fears prompted Kate to keep her psychic powers a secret. Feeling alienated, she dropped out of college and spent most of her days holed up at her mother’s home.

Now another child has been abducted. Police detective Jared Corbett seeks out Kate for her help in solving the case. Reluctantly, Kate agrees and they must work together to bring 8-year-old Cori Preston home to her family. Although attracted to one another, Jared has a girlfriend with ties to the abduction case and Kate is sarcastic and guarded since her coma. With visions she can’t control and an uncontrollable attraction to the detective, she wonders if she can leave the past behind and finally stop hiding from the world. Otherwise, Cori may be lost forever.

I love creative authors. I truly do.

There are a lot of interesting things that have happened in paranormal novels that I just love what I love most is how original "powers" get. I was attracted to this idea of Kate and the coma instantly. Things for this girl do not get any easier, either.

The world has knocked this girl down, yet she keeps getting back up, shrugging it all off and just moving forward. She has an awesome personality and somehow takes everything that comes to her with a good stride.

And no good story could be made without an amazing hot guy in the picture, enter Jared. I liked him, the detective in charge of the case. The romance was just hilarious and they were made for each other, sadly Jared has another one.

Besides the romance, what attracted me was the mystery. I love a good mystery; the tangle web that the author forms and how it comes together in the end is just wonderful. Wood is just wonderful.

I loved this novel. The main plot line had actual substance to it and everything started to fall together in ways I couldn't imagine.

The Crimson Hunt by Victoria H. Smith

I participated in the blog tour hosted by Giselle from Xpresso Book Tours

Title: The Crimson Hunt
Author: Victoria H. Smith
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: November 8th, 2012
Publisher: Self-Published
Pages: 340
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: From Author
Interest: Series
Age Group: Young Adult

College junior Ariel Richmond is working on year three of Project Normalcy.

Her house reeks of keggers past and her bestie is just a slight bit vulgar. But the thing is—they both aid in making life refreshingly uneventful.

So much for hard-earned mediocrity when Luca Grinaldi appears on the scene.

Luca’s sudden presence on campus is hard to ignore. Those bright eyes act like a beacon to unsuspecting females, and with features like his, he’s got to be moonlighting for GQ. Luca hopelessly captivates Ariel with his confidence and charisma, but the mysteries surrounding him make him nearly untouchable. And just when Ariel grows close enough to unlock his secrets, a tragic event sends her life in a downward spiral.

That steady life is no longer an option and allies quickly become scarce. The mysterious Luca seems to be the only one willing to help her—but with that trust comes the burden of his secrets. He has a dark mission of otherworldly proportions, and is willing to sacrifice as many lives as it takes to see it completed.

Gone are the days of simply maintaining normalcy, and if Ariel isn’t cautious with her trust, so soon may be her future.

Another awesome tour by an awesome author presented by the amazing Giselle.

I really didn't expect myself to like it, which is bad, I know, but sometimes I get that feeling, like this book just won't be good. I'm glad to say my feelings about this novel were incorrect. I thoroughly found myself enjoying this novel from page one until the very end.

Ariel and Luca just left sparks in their wake and this twist on sci-fi is crazy. I know this is supposed to be "New Adult" but since I'm so against this new age group (even though, technically speaking, I am a part of it) I'm just not listing it as such.

So, I want to start with the cover. It draws people in and it is captivating and really tells a story. And I just love the red; it just looks beautiful and makes the cover 100% more attractive.

Now, onto the story. So, this book pretty much starts out dull. I'm just going to lay it all out there. It feels normal, it sounds normal; you may as well just call it normal. But there's the rub with Ms. Smith, because the novel is anything but that (it has to be because it's also classified as Paranormal and I do not do false advertisement).

I thought by now that I would be getting sick of this "cold" "distant" "bad boy" thing that keeps appearing again and again in YA fiction, but I was surprised to find that I really did like the way that Smith ended up working it in with Luca. There was so many times that Luca and Ariel should have just gotten together and I wanted to smack someone.

This is a novel that keeps you guessing and every time you think you have figured it out it proves you wrong. I'm actually looking forward to the second book!

This was a great novel. I recommend it to all.

I Am Alive by Cameron Jace

   I participated in the blog tour hosted by Giselle from Xpresso Book Tours

Title: I Am Alive
Author: Cameron Jace
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: May 23rd, 2012
Publisher: Self-Published
Pages: 267
Format: Electronic
Acquired: From Author
Interest: Series
Age Group: Young Adult

Sixteen-year-old Decca Tenderstone feels captivated when she meets Leo, who is arrogant, silent, beautiful, and shoots almost every one he meets.

the usual boring girl meets badboy story... hmm... with a twist ...

They live in a dystopian future in Los Angeles where every sixteen-year-old is ranked on a scale from one to ten to determine their future. Outranks, who are considered a danger to society, are forced to attend the Monster Show, a brutal sacrificing ritual that is broadcasted worldwide on live TV, where rebellious teens are labelled Bad Kidz or Monsters and get to fight for their lives in deadly games.

To prove that you're still alive you have to scream I Am Alive every six hours. Lower your voice, and you're dead.

Decca doesn't need Leo's company. She has secrets of her own. While they both can't stand each other, she will find out why she doesn't fit into any rank.

Nothing will stand in her way as she has to make choices concerning love, life, staying alive, growing up, and finding out who she really is

I'm not sure what to say. This book...was something else.

I've been hearing a lot of comparison to The Hunger Games, and while in some aspect I can see that, at the same time I feel like this book was too different from THG.

In this society rank matters, especially when considering the type of government that runs it. Going into a battle ground with monsters is not a way I would enjoy spending my time.

The one thing that I would consider is the hot mess of grammar. It was really hard to get through this piece actually because all I could think about was sitting down and editing this book and I haven't had that urge in a long time. I can almost understand if there was no editor involved, but I was hoping for a little something better.

I thing the grammar distracted me a little too much to really get into the story and connect with characters, but I'm sure if given the chance I may have liked Decca. She wasn't completely out there and something new and exciting, but she wasn't normal either.

Like most dystopian novels I absolutely love the world building and I liked this one. I'm still unsure about the whole THG thing, but the dangerous aspect of sending kids to an arena as a sacrifice is something that I think makes the novel unique and unusual and something fun to read.

I say this is worth the shot. If anything, just to at least check it out!

Veer by Alyssa Rose Ivy

I was excited to take part in the blog tour from Xpresso Book Tours by Giselle

Title: Veer
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: November 29th, 2012
Publisher: Self-Published
Pages: 286
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: From Author
Interest: Series
Others in the Series: Derailed
Age Group: Adult

Only when you let go can you learn to live.

Between the death of her mother and pushing through law school without her best friend, it's been a tough year for Becca. Needing a break from Boston, she moves to a tiny coastal North Carolina town for a relaxing summer. After bumping heads repeatedly with a local cop, she realizes her summer will be anything but quiet.

Three years after a career ending injury ruins his chance to play Major League Baseball, Gavin has a distrust of northerners and lately girls in general. He wants nothing to do with a girl who is only in town for the summer.

When the two give in to their impossible attraction, they realize that they may just have found the key to freeing themselves from the ghosts of their pasts

This is the sequel to Derailed and this book focuses on Molly's best friend from Boston, Becca. I was surprised, to be honest, that Ivy went this way with the story. Becca had one scene in the novel and was hardly mentioned after that first chapter, so it was a little of a surprise. I know she has a third book coming out, which focuses on Ben's brother Jake, and it feels like it would have made more sense to do Jake, but that's just me.

Becca felt really new and I liked that. I don't like how every guy seemed to be attracted to her. I don't understand what is with this obsession with attractive women, but it just irritated me. Why couldn't she be average? Why can't the guy fall for the average girl? This will be for another day, but it was just something that occurred to me.

Anyways, Becca carries a lot of package, like everyone else in town. Her mother just died and she has secrets that take a toll on her. The pairing with Gavin was a little unexpected. In the first book Gavin came off as a jerk, to me anyways, and I found myself rolling my eyes thinking about him. It was interesting the way he opened up in this book. Like the first there was a lot of talking and not much character building, but for Gavin I would say there was a lot of building.

For the most part things moved pretty fast between the two, especially for the short time they knew each other. But like the previous book this showed a lot of promise and I was really glad I read it.

Again, my own complaint is too much dialogue and not enough action and development. But if there is one thing that Ivy is really good at is writing about heavily emotional subjects.

I would read this book again. And the first. It was quick, cute, and quirky. It highlighted small town dramas and big time secrets, and put the characters in a wonderful new light. It also showed a whole different side to Jake that I really liked.

This was a wonderful read.

Derailed by Alyssa Rose Ivy

I was excited to take part in the blog tour from Xpresso Book Tours by Giselle

Title: Derailed
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: September 23rd, 2012
Publisher: Self-Published
Pages: 260
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: From Author
Interest: Series
Age Group: Adult

When you're lost, sometimes the only place you can go is home.

Broken over the death of her fiancé, Molly leaves law school to return to her childhood home in North Carolina. Expecting to lay low until she can figure out what else to do with her life, she finds herself in the arms of her high school sweetheart, the boy who represents everything from the past she tried to leave behind.

Looking for an escape, she instead finds a way back to the girl she almost forgot existed and a future she never dreamed possible.

I was really expressed by this book. Let me get that out of the way.

This book was not what I was expecting. I thought that it would be something different but it turned out to live to it's name. Molly surprised me a lot. There were moments when I wanted to be angry with her and go on her but I didn't because in a lot of ways I could understand her reactions to certain things.

And Ben was such a sweetheart, I mean, I want my own Ben.

What I didn't like about this book and the sequel is the way she formats the conversation. I was reading this on my iPad, so obviously the page formatting is either more or less, but sometimes I felt like I was reading full pages of nothing but conversation and it was like, can I get something more? I felt like there wasn't enough character revelations through conversations. I like it when characters talk, but this much was too much.

Overall, I think I like this book. I was angry a lot at Molly's best friend. I probably couldn't handle her friend for anything and every time she showed up I just wanted to say, "No, no, no!!" And I just hated her.

There was a lot of emotions behind Molly, a lot of stuff that was built up and I was glad that she had someone to lean on throughout the way.

Besides some characters that could really, really, really use some help, I found myself getting well into Molly's head and enjoying the story. Molly was funny, she was smart, and she really found herself when she needed to focus on who she was. And the supporting characters gave the story a lot of flavor.

This was a great read to be honest.