Thursday’s Thought…
Kimberly reviews Black Swan Rising by Lee Carroll
TITLE: Black Swan Rising
SERIES #: Black Swan Rising #1
CHARACTERS: Garet
AUTHOR: Lee Carroll
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/01/11
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
When New York City jewelry designer Garet James stumbles into a strange antiques shop in her neighborhood, her life is about to be turned upside down. John Dee, the enigmatic shopkeeper, commissions her to open a vintage silver box for a generous sum of money. Oddly, the symbol of a swan on the box exactly matches the ring given to her by her deceased mother. Garet can’t believe her luck and this eerie coincidence until she opens the box and otherworldly things start happening.
That evening, the precious silver box is stolen. When Garet begins to investigate, she learns that she has been pulled into a prophecy that is hundreds of years old, and opening the box has unleashed an evil force onto the streets of Manhattan and the world at large. Gradually, Garet pieces together her true identity—one that her deceased mother desperately tried to protect her from. Generations of women in Garet’s family, including her beloved mother, suffered and died at the hands of this prevailing evil. Does Garet possess the power to reclaim the box and defeat this devastating force? On her journey, she will meet the fey folk who walk unnoticed among humans and a sexy vampire who also happens to be a hedge fund manager that she can’t stop thinking about. But the fairies reveal a desire to overpower mere humans and the seductive vampire has the power to steal the life from her body. Whom can Garet trust to guide her? Using her newfound powers and sharp wit, Garet will muster everything she’s got to shut down the evil taking over her friends, family, New York City, and the world.
REVIEW:
Have you ever picked up a book, read the synopsis and thought this will be a great book but it ended up not meeting your expectations? That was this book for me. The synopsis had me thinking I would be pulled into this paranormal world of intrigue and really I just wasn’t pulled in at all.
I almost think there is too much going on in this book. It seems like the author thought “how many paranormal creatures can I throw into one book and have people read it?” and unfortunately there are just too many. There are also just too many odd points in the plot.
I don’t know I could tell you a bunch of things that are wrong with this book. Honestly the book just never appealed to me I guess. I went back and looked at some of the other reviews on Goodreads.com just to see if I was the only one but realized that I wasn’t.
Part of me wants to say this story needs work but thinking about it maybe it had too much work and was overexposed, if you understand what I mean.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Kimberly reviews One Night Of Sin by Elle Kennedy
TITLE: One Night Of Sin
SERIES #: After Hours #1
CHARACTERS: Skyler & Gage
AUTHOR: Elle Kennedy
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/04/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Sometimes it’s good to be bad…
When it comes to sex, good girl Skyler Thompson always plays it safe, choosing stable and sedate over wild and thrilling. She doesn’t do one-night-stands, but one look at sinfully sexy Gage Holt and she’s willing to reconsider. He makes her want to be bad for once in her life, and she’s prepared to take what she wants.
Danger follows former MMA fighter Gage Holt like a shadow. Despite his successes as part owner of Sin, an exclusive nightclub in Boston, Gage can’t risk getting involved with a woman, especially one as sweet as Skyler. Still, he can’t resist a taste—and it’s so damn good he has to see her again.
As addicted as he is to her, Gage knows there’s no future for him and Skyler—not with his past lurking in the dark corners of an MMA cage. But Skylar’s tougher than she looks, and she’s ready to fight for her man.
REVIEW:
Looking for some erotica to read? I have the book for you! If you do not like erotica then for goodness sake don’t pick up this book!
Gage and Skyler have instant chemistry and boy do they connect. And there is even a background story not just a few lines between sex scenes. If you have read Ella Kennedy before then you know this is right up her alley.There are a number of really great lines in this book that would get any wound up.
The series is just beginning with this story and I can’t wait for more.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Kimberly reviews Rescue My Heart by Jill Shalvis
TITLE: Rescue My Heart
SERIES #: Animal Magnetism #3
CHARACTERS: Holly & Adam
AUTHOR: Jill Shalvis
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/06/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
After a tragic stint in the National Guards, Adam Connelly returns to Idaho and to Belle Haven, the animal shelter he owns with his brothers. All Adam wants is to be alone. Then he opens the door to the past—the woman whose heart he once broke. Still gorgeous, still tough-as-nails, but this time, unusually vulnerable.
Holly Reid learned the hard way to never depend on a man for anything. Now, of all men, it’s the last one she wants to see, and the only one she needs. Her father has gone missing in the Bitterroot Mountains and she could use someone with tracking skills to help find him.
For Holly and Adam, each with their ghosts, a trek this desperate, this unpredictable, and this intimate, will have its share of risks—including opening their hearts one more time.
REVIEW:
Another delightful story from Jill Shalvis. This is the third in the Animal Magnetism series and though it can be stand alone since that is how I ended up reading it I wish I had read the other two books in the series first. I enjoyed the brothers that were obviously the main characters in the other books and am anxious to read their stories.
There is a lifetime of story behind Holly and Adam and it really adds to the story. I really enjoyed the connection they had from page one even though it was hostile it is still there.
I can’t wait to read the next in the series which I am hoping is Griffin and Kate.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
What releases the week of August 18th? Check here!
Kimberly reviews One Hot Second by Stacy Gail
TITLE: One Hot Second
CHARACTERS: Parker & Chandler
AUTHOR: Stacy Gail
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/01/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Parker Radclyffe is up against a wall. Thorne Mansion, the mysterious Italianate castle she’s come to Texas to restore, isn’t the problem. No matter how intriguing the relic is, it’s merely an ember compared to the blazing magnetism of its owner, Chandler Thorne.
When his family mansion burned down, Chandler had to watch over a hundred years of proud history go up in smoke. After more than a year, he finally has everything in place to rebuild, including a renowned conservation architect to oversee the restoration. But when he lays eyes on Parker he realizes he’s gotten more than he paid for. Maybe more than he can handle.
Parker is a military brat who never sits still long enough to get burned. Chandler is her opposite, a man with deep roots and deeper family secrets. It won’t be easy to find the common ground it takes to build a home together, but Chandler is a thorn in every sense. He plans to stick with Parker until she sees that love is more than worth the risk.
REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This is another really good story by Gail. I have enjoyed her other stories and enjoyed this one as well. Is it my favorite? Probably not but it was still enjoyable… and hot.
Parker is a great. Someone I would like to be friends with. She can be pretty funny. Chandler is blown away by Parker and I can understand why. They really have a connection that sizzles. I really enjoyed everyone in the story – yes except the Mayor who no one seems to like for obvious reasons.
Parker and Chandler would be a couple I would enjoy going on a double date with.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Kelly reviews The Lost by Vicki Pettersson
TITLE: The Lost
SERIES #: Celestial Blues #2
CHARACTERS: Griffin Shaw & Katherine “Kit” Craig
AUTHOR: Vicki Pettersson
PUBLICATION DATE: March 19, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Griffin Shaw and his wife were both murdered fifty years ago. Now a minor angel, Grif’s been granted permission to solve the mystery of his own death… if he helps the Pure angels guide those souls who might otherwise be Lost.
Souls like Jeap Yang, a drug addict in his final moments of life. Grif knows that death is coming, but he cannot intervene. However, Grif’s mortal lover, reporter Katherine “Kit” Craig, isn’t constrained by angelic protocol. If she can stop a death, she will.
But as Kit is about to find out, there are things more traumatic and evil than murder. A strange new drug is literally eating tweakers’ flesh from their bones, and Kit’s crusade to get it off the streets is set to propel her and Grif into a battle with a vicious drug cartel. They’ll have to scramble to stay alive, stay together, and choose their own fate… before it’s chosen for them
REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts In The Lost we pick up where we left off with Grif & Kit trying to solve the mystery of “Who killed Griffin Shaw”. But along the way they are sent on a wild ride of ups and downs and tests to their very fragile relationship.
This was another good book by Vicki. This book was filled with a lot more emotional ups and downs for me. It made me love and hate Grif just a little more with each page. But I will say the very last chapter just flat out broke my heart.
If you are interested in r reading this series you really need to start from the beginning. Starting here will just be confusing. On to the conclusion of the Celestial Blues Trilogy. I know what I am hoping for but we will see what Vicki has in store for me.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Edelweiss & Harper Voyager in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
Natasha reviews Fireborn by Keri Arthur
TITLE: Fireborn
SERIES #: Souls of Fire #1
CHARACTERS: Emberly, Rory, Sam and Jackson
AUTHOR: Keri Arthur
PUBLICATION DATE: 7/1/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From New York Times bestselling author Keri Arthur comes a brand new series featuring heroine Emberly Pearson—a phoenix capable of taking on human form, and cursed with the ability to foresee death…
Emberly has spent a good number of her many lives trying to save humans. So when her prophetic dreams reveal the death of Sam, a man she once loved, she does everything in her power to prevent that from happening. But in saving his life, she gets more than she bargained for.
Sam is working undercover for the Paranormal Investigations Team, and those who are trying to murder him are actually humans infected by a plague-like virus, the Crimson Death—a by-product of a failed government experiment that attempted to identify the enzymes that make vampires immortal. Now, all those infected must be eliminated.
But when Emberly’s boss is murdered and his irreplaceable research stolen, she needs to find the guilty party before she goes down in flames…
REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts I am in love with all of Keri Arthur’s work so I could not wait to read this new series! I love the whole idea of the Phoenix and am super excited this series will focus on them. Emberly is a strong female lead, and I enjoy her interactions very much. You can see she’s a genuinely good person who was handed a super bad lot in her many lifetimes. I adore Rory, and love their interactions and connections together. It reminded me a lot of the comradery we saw in the Riley Jensen series! The love interests: Sam and Jackson. I HATE SAM! Let’s just get that out there. I don’t buy the whole wounded animal persona; he’s a flat out jerk and doesn’t deserve an ounce of the emotion he gets from Emberly. The constant pull and attraction she has to him, even with the horrendous things he’s done is frustrating. I really could do without that, it just makes me want to slap them both! Now Jackson, that’s a great character. I love his personality and overall ability to brighten up the pages. I hope he sticks around in the series for a while. Some situations and phrases seemed repetitive but overall the story was interesting and I’ll follow the series.
Disclaimer:
I purchased a copy of this book on my own. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
Kelly reviews The Taken by Vicki Pettersson
TITLE: The Taken
SERIES #: Celestial Blues #1
CHARACTERS: Griffin Shaw & Katherine “Kit” Craig
AUTHOR: Vicki Pettersson
PUBLICATION DATE: June 12, 2012
ORDER LINKS: Amazon
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Griffin Shaw used to be a PI, but that was back when gumshoes hoofed the streets . . . and he was still alive. Fifty years later, he’s an angel, but that doesn’t make him a saint. One small mistake has altered fate, and now he’s been dumped back onto the mortal mudflat to collect another soul—Katherine “Kit” Craig, a journalist whose latest investigation is about to get her clipped.
Bucking heavenly orders, Grif refuses to let the sable-haired siren come to harm. Besides, protecting her offers a chance to solve the mystery of his own unsolved murder—and dole out some overdue payback for the death of his beloved wife, Evie.
Joining forces, Kit and Grif’s search for answers leads beyond the blinding lights of the Strip into the dark heart of an evil conspiracy. But a ruthless killer determined to destroy them isn’t Grif’s biggest threat. His growing attraction to Kit could cost them both their lives, along with the answer to the haunting question of his long afterlife .
REVIEW:
Giffin Shaw has been stuck in the past for a very long time, 50 years a long time. But when his latest Take is not ready to leave. Grif breaks the rules for her and changes his whole world. Now Grif finds himself back on earth and having to witness his next Take be murdered.
Kit is a by the facts reporter who lives in a world of her own. But when her best friend is murdered Kit will stop at nothing to find out who did it. Only problem is the ones who did it are not out for Kit.
This is not my normal genre of reading but I did enjoy The Taken. There is a lot going on in this new world that Vicki has created. I found the world to be slightly confusing to keep up with all of it, but as I read on the world started to make since. I found that I liked Grif and Kit. I loved learning what a rockabilly lifestyle was (all new to me). Maybe because it was the first book but both Kit & Grif are a little stand offish. But even with that I am looking forward to book 2 The Lost and the continuation of Grif & Kit’s story.
Disclaimer:
I purchased this book. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
Kelly review Cop Town by Karin Slaughter
TITLE: Cop Town
CHARACTERS:
AUTHOR: Karin Slaughter
PUBLICATION DATE: June 24, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Karin Slaughter, author of the New York Times bestselling Will Trent novels, is widely acclaimed as “one of the best crime novelists in America” (The Washington Post). Now she delivers her first stand-alone novel: an epic story of a city in the midst of seismic upheaval, a serial killer targeting cops, and a divided police force tasked with bringing a madman to justice.
Atlanta, 1974: As a brutal murder and a furious manhunt rock the city’s police department, Kate Murphy wonders if her first day on the job will also be her last. She’s determined to defy her privileged background by making her own way—wearing a badge and carrying a gun. But for a beautiful young woman, life will be anything but easy in the macho world of the Atlanta PD, where even the female cops have little mercy for rookies. It’s also the worst day possible to start given that a beloved cop has been gunned down, his brothers in blue are out for blood, and the city is on the edge of war.
Kate isn’t the only woman on the force who’s feeling the heat. Maggie Lawson followed her uncle and brother into the ranks to prove her worth in their cynical eyes. When she and Kate, her new partner, are pushed out of the citywide search for a cop killer, their fury, pain, and pride finally reach the boiling point. With a killer poised to strike again, they will pursue their own line of investigation, risking everything as they venture into the city’s darkest heart.
Relentlessly paced, acutely observed, wickedly funny, and often heartbreaking, Cop Town is Karin Slaughter’s most powerful novel yet—a tour de force of storytelling from our foremost master of character, atmosphere, and suspense
REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Is it wrong to want to start opening fire on a whole bunch of characters? Because that is exactly how I felt just a few chapters into Cop Town. I really struggled with the setting of this story (mid-70’s in the south) and the way the men believed that they could behave. I do realize that sadly in our very short history as a country this is how things were back then. But I can honestly say that I would not have been a good lady in the south in the 70’s. I would have gotten myself in a lot of trouble. But anyways back to the review.
But as I pressed on reading Cop Town it became clear that this was a book about more than just murder. It was about the characters finding out who they are, who they are to become and who they really don’t want to be. While the beginning was a little slow and hard to stomach. Karin did an amazing job wrapping up this story with a nice little bow. If you like mystery, suspense and not afraid of a bunch of sexist, racist royal pain in the ass characters you need to pick up a copy of Cop Town.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & Random House Publishing Group – Bantam Dell, Delacorte Press in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
Kelly reviews Shield of Winter by Nalini Singh
TITLE: Shield of Winter
SERIES #: Psy-Changeling #13
CHARACTERS: Vasic & Ivy Jane
AUTHOR: Nalini Singh
NARRATOR: Angela Dawe
PUBLICATION DATE: June 3, 2014
RUN TIME: 15 Hours & 46 Minutes
ORDER LINKS: Amazon
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Assassin. Soldier. Arrow. That is who Vasic is, who he will always be. His soul drenched in blood, his conscience heavy with the weight of all he’s done, he exists in the shadows, far from the hope his people can almost touch—if only they do not first drown in the murderous insanity of a lethal contagion. To stop the wave of death, Vasic must complete the simplest and most difficult mission of his life.
For if the Psy race is to survive, the empaths must wake…
Having rebuilt her life after medical “treatment” that violated her mind and sought to stifle her abilities, Ivy should have run from the black-clad Arrow with eyes of winter frost. But Ivy Jane has never done what she should. Now, she’ll fight for her people, and for this Arrow who stands as her living shield, yet believes he is beyond redemption. But as the world turns to screaming crimson, even Ivy’s fierce will may not be enough to save Vasic from the cold darkness
REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts
We all know (that is if you have read the first 12 books) that the Psy are a very cold race. They like everything perfect. There is no room for flaws of any kind. Flaws have been dealt with swiftly and harshly over the last 100 years. But with the fall of Silence in (bk 12 Heart of Obsidian) the Psy race is now fighting a new killer. One that does not care who or what stands in it’s way. There are two ways to save the Psy race: 1. Cut out the affected and kill millions or 2. Hope that the E-Psy will awake in time to stop choice number 1.
As always Nalini writes a story that sucks me in and makes me not want to leave no matter how bad it gets at time. Vasic and Ivy’s story is both amazingly filled with hope and heartbreakingly sad at the same time. I honestly had my doubts on Vasic based off prior books. He is the perfect Psy in all ways. Ivy Jane was new to me, but I loved her the minute she stepped on the page. These two are just flat out amazing together. Yes, I laughed, cried and wanted to kill the leaders of the Psy from 100 years ago. I want to say so much but don’t want to spoil it for you. Just know the manuals are very important!!! 🙂
I did listen to this book on audio as I have done with all of Nalini’s Psy-Changeling books. Ms. Dawe does a great job again with the voices of each character. My only issue was that the audio file I had seemed to go in and out. At times it seemed muffled at time. I am not sure what it was. But even with this I loved the story.
Disclaimer:
I purchased this book from Audible and this review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
Thursday’s Thought…
