Kelly reviews Sweet by Erin McCarthy

TITLE: Sweet
SERIES #: True Believers #2
CHARACTERS: Riley Mann & Jessica Sweet
AUTHOR: Erin McCarthy
PUBLICATION DATE: October 25, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Jessica Sweet thought going away to college would finally make her free of her parents’ constant judgments and insistence she play chastity club role model for their church events, but if anything, the freedom has made her realize she can’t go home and be a hypocrite anymore. Tired of dodging their questions, she stays at school over the summer and lands in an unexpected crash pad: Riley Mann’s house.

Sarcastic, cocky, and full of opinions, Riley is also sexy personified with tattoos and biceps earned from working as a roofer all day. Not the right guy for her even if Jessica was looking for a relationship, which she is definitely not. But Jessica knows that Riley hides the burden of having to raise his younger brothers behind that grin and as she helps him get his house in order for a custody hearing, they begin to fall hard for each other, and she is forced to question what she’s hiding herself.

Jessica has never had a problem getting naked with a guy, but when it comes to showing Riley how she truly feels inside, her fear of rejection may just ruin the best thing—the best guy—to ever happen to her

REVIEW:
I liked this story, but didn’t love. I am not sure if it is this genre or what. But I have yet to find a New Adult book that has blown me away. Maybe it is because I don’t connect with the characters on that level. Maybe I am just too old. I am not really sure. I liked Riley. For me he made the story worth reading. I liked that he was worried about his younger brothers so much. I am just really on the fence about this how New Adult genre.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

January 20, 2014January 6, 2014

Kelly reviews Up From The Grave by Jeaniene Frost

TITLE: Up From The Grave
SERIES #: Night Huntress #7
CHARACTERS: Cat & Bones
AUTHOR: Jeaniene Frost
PUBLICATION DATE: January 28, 2012
ORDER LINKS:Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
There’s always one more grave to dig.

Lately, life has been unnaturally calm for vampires Cat Crawfield and her husband Bones. They should have known better than to relax their guard, because a shocking revelation sends them back into action to stop an all-out war…

A rogue CIA agent is involved in horrifying secret activities that threaten to raise tensions between humans and the undead to dangerous heights. Now Cat and Bones are in a race against time to save their friends from a fate worse than death…because the more secrets they unravel, the deadlier the consequences. And if they fail, their lives—and those of everyone they hold dear— will be hovering on the edge of the grave

REVIEW:
I am really sad this series is coming to an end. But like all good things it can’t go on forever. Cat & Bones have been a huge part of my love for all things paranormal. These two have had a rollercoaster ride of the years and I am grateful that I grab the very first book in this series. There will be no spoilers at all in this review. No summary of this book in this review. This is just my love of this series and for Ms. Frost. While I was surprised by a few things in this book I am so happy that Cat & Bones finally might have some down time and a chance to enjoy their life together.

I really hope that Ms. Frost will revisit these two in the future. I really can’t wait to see what the future holds. Fans of Cat & Bones will really enjoy this story.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Avon in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

January 17, 2014January 6, 2014

Kelly reviews First Bite by Dani Harper

TITLE: First Bite
SERIES #: Dark Wolf #1
CHARACTERS: Travis Williamson & Neva Ross
AUTHOR: Dani Harper
NARRATOR: Veronica Muench
PUBLICATION DATE: October 15, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N | Audible

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Geneva “Neva” Ross doesn’t want to die. But now that she’s been turned into a werewolf against her will, she’ll do anything to protect her family and friends…even if that means taking her own life.

After witnessing Neva’s leap from a high ledge, Travis Williamson—a Changeling with a dark past—uses his powers to save her life. He feels a connection to the strong-willed woman whose eyes flash that familiar Changeling green. While Neva is hospitalized, Travis risks everything to kidnap her, knowing the approaching full moon will put everyone in jeopardy.

Bickering constantly to hide their growing attraction, Travis and Neva run from the authorities…and from Neva’s sinister sire, Meredith de la Ronde. Meredith delights in creating new shape-shifters and compelling them to do her dark bidding; now Neva must join Meredith’s murderous wolf pack…or die.

Intensely suspenseful with deliciously sexy twists, this paranormal romance—the first in (the title of series)—intertwines sensual passion with an epic, thrilling battle between good and evil.

REVIEW:
I am kinda on the fence about this book. I liked the story line. I liked Neva & Travis and a few of the other side characters. Meredith is one crazy, evil, magic wielding bad guy. And all in all it was a good book, but there was just something a little off for me. Maybe be it was the timeline. Maybe it was Meredith and her getting the upper hands. Maybe it was my mood. Or maybe it was the narrator. I was not overly wild about the narrator at times she was a little too nasally for me and the audio book had some major fluctuations in the sound and quality of the book. Even with all I will be continuing this series to see what happens with Neva, Travis, Meredith and everyone else. But the next book I think I will read.

Disclaimer:
This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

January 17, 2014January 6, 2014

Kelly reviews Veiled by Kendra Elliot

TITLE: Veiled
SERIES #: Bone Secret #3.5 (a novella)
CHARACTERS: Jack Harper & Lacey Campbell
AUTHOR: Kendra Elliot
PUBLICATION DATE: December 4, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Forensic investigator Lacey Campbell is trying to relax. She and her fiancé have escaped to a high-end resort on the Oregon Coast that they’re scoping out for their wedding venue. But when a murdered woman turns up in the hot tub, there’s no more relaxing for the couple. Neither can resist getting pulled into the case.

Tragically, the dead woman is dressed in a wedding gown, even more disturbing for Lacey given she’s about to be a bride. When the victim turns out to be a beloved bartender with a bad-news ex-husband, it looks like a domestic quarrel turned deadly. But could there be something more sinister going on in this tight-knit community?

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Another great story from Kendra. It was fun to see Jack & Lacey again even if it is not under the best of circumstances. Because really nothing can ruin a vacation like finding a dead body and be through head first in a murder investigation.

I am not going to give you more than that. This is a novella and I don’t want to give too much away. This novella can easily be read as a stand alone, although if you have not read book 1 you might want to read it. Jack & Lacey are from book 1 Hidden.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

January 15, 2014January 6, 2014

Kelly reviews Never Stopped Loving You by Keri Ford

TITLE: Never Stopped Loving You
SERIES #: Chester Farm #1
CHARACTERS: Wade Chester & Kara Duncan
AUTHOR: Keri Ford
PUBLICATION DATE: December 2, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
At eighteen, Kara Duncan had already made her fair share of mistakes, choosing the wrong boy and earning herself a bad reputation in the process. Hurt and humiliated, she’d packed up and moved on, sure that everyone in Bella Warren, Arkansas, would be better off without her. She’d planned never to return, but when crisis strikes, she has nowhere else to turn.

After seven years, Wade Chester thought his feelings for Kara were finally ancient history. Until he sees her again, standing on his front porch just as she’d done a million times before. She needs his help—and his family’s crops—if her canning business is going to survive. The rest of his family has let bygones be bygones, so why is it so hard for him to let go of the past?

While Kara claims to be interested only in putting things right, the old heat flaring between them is undeniable. But Wade will need to risk his heart—and the reputation of his farm—to prove that they’re meant to be together.

REVIEW:
This was an okay story for me. It was kind of a mix between a new adult and an adult book.
When we start this book we learn that Kara & Wade have a past from when they were young. I past that didn’t end very well for either of them. But now Kara is back and a business partner to Wade and his sister. These two are thrown together and have to face the past, the present and the possibility of a future together.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & Carina Press in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

January 14, 2014January 12, 2014

Kelly reviews Hidden Destiny by Carrie Ann Ryan

TITLE: Hidden Destiny
SERIES #: Redwood Pack # 6
CHARACTERS: North Jamenson & Lexi Anderson
AUTHOR: Carrie Ann Ryan
PUBLICATION DATE: January 14, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
North Jamenson has always held his wolf closer to the surface than others. He’s the quiet one, the one no one really knows about yet he holds the darkest secret. He’s watched his brothers find their mates and start families, and now it was his turn. He knows Lexi could be his and her son could be part of his family, but he doesn’t know if he’s ready to share the darkness that’s entwined with his soul.

Lexi Anderson is a mother, a sister, a latent wolf, and a new member of the Redwood Pack. She’s also holding secrets so close to her heart she’s not even sure she knows the truth anymore. When North takes another step closer to wanting to cement their bond, Lexi must come to grips with her past and what it means for her future. The Centrals’ war isn’t over yet and Lexi’s life is on the line as the paths they’ve chosen takes a drastic turn.

REVIEW:
North knows he is loved by his family, but there is something dark in him that stirs that scares him. The one person that could possible help him control this darkness wants nothing to do with him. But North is not giving up on Lexi and will not let fate take her away from him, no matter what price he has to pay.

Lexi has finally found a place she can call home for herself, her son and her brother. But there is still a lot of tension coming from the other packmates. But the biggest issue that Lexi is facing is North. Her mate. Yet she can’t give him what they both want so badly.

North & Lexi have a huge uphill battle on their hands. The only want to win this battle is to trust each other and the new family that Lexi has now. But will it be enough?

Another really good story from Carrie Ann Ryan. I really enjoyed North & Lexi’s books. I am so glad that these two got a happy ending, kind of. Want to know what I mean by that you will just have to pick up a copy of Hidden Destiny to find out.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

January 10, 2014January 4, 2014

Kelly reviews This Side Of The Grave by Jeaniene Frost

TITLE: This Side of The Grave
SERIES #: Night Huntress #5
CHARACTERS: Cat & Bones
AUTHOR: Jeaniene Frost
PUBLICATION DATE: Feb. 22, 2011
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Danger waits on both sides of the grave.
Half-vampire Cat Crawfield and her vampire husband Bones have fought for their lives, as well as for their relationship. But just when they’ve triumphed over the latest battle, Cat’s new and unexpected abilities threaten to upset a long-standing balance . . .
With the mysterious disappearance of vampires, rumors abound that a species war is brewing. A zealot is inciting tensions between the vampires and ghouls, and if these two powerful groups clash, innocent mortals could become collateral damage. Now Cat and Bones are forced to seek help from a dangerous “ally”; the ghoul queen of New Orleans herself. But the price of her assistance may prove more treacherous than even the threat of a supernatural war to say nothing of the repercussions Cat never imagined.

REVIEW:
Cat finds herself in the middle of yet another battle. A battle that can only end one of two ways. With her death or the death of her enemy. And if Cat wants the paranormal world to know that she means business she will need to take down this enemy and make him an example.

Oh how I have missed Cat and Bones and their wild group of friends. I do have to say I am seriously in love with Vlad. 🙂 Favorite line from this book of course is from Vlad. “Premature inflamulation” he replied. “Happens sometimes. Very embarrassing. I don’t like to talk about it.”

Cat and Bones are such a great team. I just love how they play off each other, push each other and know when to back off and let each other stand on their own to feet.

Moving on to the next book 🙂

Disclaimer:
This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

January 10, 2014January 10, 2014

Kelly reviews Hope Flames by Jaci Burton + a Giveaway

TITLE: Hope Flames
SERIES #: Hope #1
CHARACTERS: Luke McCormack & Emma Burnett
AUTHOR: Jaci Burton
PUBLICATION DATE: Jan 7th, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon |B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
When it comes to love, they already know the rules…by heart.
Thirty-two and finally setting up her veterinary practice in the town she once called home, Emma Burnett is on her own and loving it. Independent and driven, she’s not letting any man get in the way of her dreams. Not again.
That’s fine with Luke McCormack. Divorced and hardly lacking in female company when he needs it, he’s devoted to the only faithful companion in his life—his police dog. Still, there’s something about Emma he can’t shake.
When a series of local break-ins leaves Emma vulnerable, she seeks help from the first man to spark her desire in years. And now they’re giving each other something they thought they’d lost forever… hope.

REVIEW:
Small town girl Emma Burnett has finally returned home. To say that the years since she left for college have be easy or fun would a lie. After a failed relationship, a return to school and finally following her dream, Emma finds herself the owner of a small veterinary clinic in her home town. But the last thing that Emma wants, needs or has time for is a man. Too bad the perfect man just walked through her door.

Luke is a little gun shy about women and relationships. After the embarrassment of his failed marriage Luke has vowed that he will never be in a relationship again. But after meeting the town’s newest vet he may have to rethink this whole single life thing.

Awesome start to a new series by Jaci Burton. Hope Flames brings us to the small town of Hope. We get to meet a fun cast of characters. Jaci always does a great job of bring her characters to life.

I am already looking forward to the next two books in this series Hope Ignites (4/14) & Hope Burns (10/14). If you love Jaci Burton you will love the Hope series!!!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

A little about Jaci Burton:

Jaci Burton is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling, award-winning author of over 50 books. She lives in Oklahoma and when she isn’t on deadline (which is often), she can usually be found wrestling with her uncooperative garden, wrangling her dogs, watching an unhealthy amount of television, or completely losing track of time reading a great book. She’s a total romantic and longs for the happily ever after in every story, which you’ll find in all her books.

Where you can find Jaci: Website • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads

Giveaway Time:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

January 9, 2014January 4, 2014

Kelly reviews Dark Wolf by Christine Feehan

TITLE: Dark Wolf
SERIES #: Dark #25
CHARACTERS: Dimitri Tirunul & Skyler Daratrazanoff
AUTHOR: Christine Feehan
PUBLICATION DATE: January 7, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
#1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan now delivers her most eagerly awaited novel of all — ten years in the making.

In Dark Lycan, Christine Feehan journeyed into the heart of the Carpathians, and into the souls of two lifemates stirred by the flush of passion and the threat of annihilation. In Dark Wolf, the breathtaking story continues as the bonds of family are imperiled, and the fate of two lovers lies hidden in the seductive shadows between life and death.

Skyler Daratrazanoff always recognized the miracle that was Dimitri Tirunul, a man beyond any dream that had ever engaged her nights. But she was human. Vulnerable. He was Carpathian. Nearly immortal. She was nineteen. He was an ancient. Yet she held half his soul, the light to his darkness. Without her, he would not survive. Caught between the two warring species, Dimitri has spent centuries hunting the undead to keep his people free, and humans safe. He had survived honorably when others had chosen to give up their souls. But now, marked for extermination by the Lycans, Dimitri found himself alone, and fearing for his life. But salvation was coming…

No Lycan would ever suspect someone like Skyler to dare mount a secret rescue operation. A teenage girl. A human of untested abilities. But she had something no one else had. She was predestined for Dimitri—as he was for her. And there was nothing stronger for Skyler than her desire to see her life-dream come true. Whatever the risk

REVIEW:
It has been a while since I have read a Christine Feehan novell. I think I have read all of the Dark series books except the two prior to this one so I am familiar with Dimitri & Skyler. If you are new to this series you really should read the series in order, and yes there are a lot of books. But there is a lot of history in these books. That being said. I really did enjoy Dimitri & Skyler’s book.
Dimitri & Skyler make a wonderful couple. Skyler is a little gun shy about certain parts of life and Dimitri is so very patient with her. I really enjoyed the love story between these two. and really enjoyed learning more about Zev. But, and I know this because the next book is coming, I felt that there was no resolution to the who’s, what’s and why’s in this book.
I am looking forward to Zev & Bronnie’s book next!!

January 7, 2014January 4, 2014

Kelly reviews The Vampire Hunter by Michele Hauf

TITLE: The Vampire Hunter
SERIES #: In the Company of Vampires
CHARACTERS: Kaz & Zoe
AUTHOR: Michele Hauf
PUBLICATION DATE: January 7, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A vampire hunter finds himself powerless to resist a bewitching stranger’s dangerous magic in Michele Hauf’s latest romance.

In all his years of battling the undead, Kaz has never seen bloodlust like this. And as a Knight of the Stake, it’s up to him to find out who’s responsible for the mayhem sweeping the streets of Paris and put a stop to it. Kaz’s task becomes infinitely more complicated when a very attractive witch wants to help.

With her quirky charm and irresistibly kissable lips, Zoe; just feels right to Kaz, the way no mortal woman ever has before. But as a sworn enemy of the supernatural, can he really trust a witch? Especially one with dangerous secrets of her own?

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts Kaz & Zoe have a very sweet relationship only one problem is that at the moment they are working on the opposite side of a very big problem for the vampires. But neither truly knows the depth of the Magic Dust problem until it is almost too late. Their only chance of winning this war is to work together no matter how difficult it may be.

This was a good story. I really like this world that Michele has created. Vampires, Fairies and Hunters oh my. I love how Michele throws in characters from other books in to all of her books. It is fun to get a glance at your past favorite characters. Of which one of mine made a cameo in The Vampire Hunters. 🙂

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & Harlequin in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

January 6, 2014January 4, 2014

Kelly reviews Alone by Kendra Elliot

TITLE: Alone
SERIES #: Bone Secret #4
CHARACTERS: Seth Rutledge & Victoria Peres
AUTHOR: Kendra Elliot
PUBLICATION DATE: Jan 7, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
One rainy night in the woods outside of Portland, Dr. Victoria Peres is called to the site of a haunting crime scene. Six beautiful young girls—all in white dresses and arranged in a perfect circle—have been left for dead. Only one girl, fighting for her life at a nearby hospital, has survived the carnage. Things get stranger still when Victoria and the police discover that the disturbing arrangement of the bodies—as meticulous as it is mysterious—is straight from the pages of a decades-old cold case. Victoria is called on to do what she does best, read the bones of the dead for clues…while dealing with the surprise return of her first love, medical examiner Seth Rutledge. Only this time she must figure out how the two cases, fifty years apart, are connected.

REVIEW:
The death of five girls in a remote part of the Portland wilderness leaves the police & the forensic teams scratching there heads. There is no signs of trauma, no signs of them being forced, but there has to be fail play involved. How do six girls all dressed in white end up out in the woods dead or near death. As investigators converge on the sight one realized something very disturbing. He has seen this before, along time ago a very similar crime happened. And three of those deaths never were solved. Are these two crimes related? Is it the same killer? Is it a copycat? And will trying to find the link be too little too late to save the killer’s late

Is there anything scarier than the mind of a suspense author? I think not. Kendra Elliot’s Alone is a twisted mess of past, present and a possible uncertain future. While reading Alone you have a good idea of who the killer might be but Kendra throws some twists and turns in there to make you question whether you are right or wrong. I did enjoy this book, but I would liked the confrontation to be a little more involved. It was over a little too quick for me. But other than that I enjoyed this book. And I am looking forward to what Kendra has for us next.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

January 3, 2014December 30, 2013

Kelly reviews Sweet Nothings by Kim Law

TITLE: Sweet Nothings
SERIES #: Sugar Springs #2
CHARACTERS: Nick Dalton & Joanie Bigbee
AUTHOR: Kim Law
PUBLICATION DATE: January 7, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Joanie Bigbee, cupcake baker extraordinaire, likes to keep her options open—and she’s good at it. She’s started and sold some 30 businesses in her postage stamp-sized Tennessee town, and at the moment she can be found in a short skirt and go-go boots, selling cupcakes out of the back of a converted Volkswagen van. What she moves on to next is anybody’s guess. She knows better than to be tied down. In any way. She’s watched every woman in her family fall head-over-heels, only to find themselves wondering how to pick up the pieces when love is lost.

When Nick Dalton shows up at the groovy cupcakery, all Joanie wants is a taste; a fling with no strings suits her just fine. But for Nick, a bite is not enough; he wants the whole cake: a big house, a family, true love. But love only makes you stupid, right? Joanie has to decide whether to follow where her free-spirit leads… or hold on to the sweetest thing she’s ever known

REVIEW:
Joanie Bigbee is a woman who has never made any kind of commitments. Not to her family, not to her job and most definitely not to a man. Except for one problem. Nick Dalton. Nick is back in town and really throwing a wrench in Joanie’s armor.

Nick Dalton has come back to town to open a new branch of his business so that he has a reason to come visit his newly found brother. But Nick’s reason for staying might have just changed do to a very sexy pair of pink go-go boots.

This was a sweet book. I really enjoyed Joanie and Nick’s journey. Although there were times that I really wished that Joanie would either put her big girl pants on and grow up or that Nick would wisen up. But all in all I loved these two. I do need to go back and read book one in this series Cody & Lee Ann seem like a really awesome couple. I can’t wait to see what Kim has in store for us next in this series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & Montlake Publishing in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.