Natasha’s Review – Page 5

February 3, 2015February 1, 2015

Natasha reviews Twisted Innocence by Terri Blackstock

TITLE: Twisted Innocence
SERIES #: The Moonlighters Series #3
CHARACTERS: Holly Creed & Creed Kershaw
AUTHOR: Terri Blackstock
PUBLICATION DATE: 2/3/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
When Holly s secrets backfire, is the mess too big to unravel?
Holly Cramer has worked hard to keep the identity of her daughter s father a secret, shamed and embarrassed by the one-night stand. But when the police knock on her door searching for Creed Kershaw, she realizes his identity isn t as hidden as she thought. The fact that Creed is a person of interest in a recent drug-related murder only increases her humiliation.
When Holly s and Creed s paths cross, Holly is unsure whether to be terrified of him or trust him. His tenderness with their daughter makes her want to believe his story that he had nothing to do with the murder. Then she discovers that Creed has a connection to Leonard Miller who killed both her sister’s fiancé and her brother-in-law, and kidnapped her nephews and things only become more complicated.
Will Creed lead them to the man who has plagued her family, or become another of his victims?”

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts I accidentally began reading this book without realizing it was already a part of a series. Thankfully, the author gives you enough background information that allows this to read easily as a standalone book. Another thing I didn’t realize what that this book is considered Christian fiction – not a big deal, just not something I was expecting. Holly is a good lead character whose past mistakes lead her life into a series of unexpected and challenging situations. I appreciated her need to better her life because of her child and felt she was an easy character to relate to. Creed was also a great character. His life really took a turn for the worse and threw him into a heap of trouble that makes his patch collide with Holly’s. I enjoyed the supporting characters a lot and found the whole group very entertaining. Enjoyable read.

Disclaimer:
I received a copy of this book from Zondervan Fiction and Netgalley. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

January 22, 2015January 18, 2015

Natasha reviews Vanished by Elizabeth Heiter

TITLE: Vanished
SERIES #: The Profiler #2
CHARACTERS: Evelyn Baines
AUTHOR: Elizabeth Heiter
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/30/14
ORDER LINKS:Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Sometimes the past can haunt you…

Eighteen years ago, FBI profiler Evelyn Baine’s best friend, Cassie Byers, disappeared, the third in a series of unsolved abductions. Only a macabre nursery rhyme was left at the scene, a nursery rhyme that claimed Evelyn was also an intended victim. Now, after all these years of silence, another girl has gone missing in South Carolina, and the Nursery Rhyme Killer is taking credit. But is Cassie s abductor really back, or is there a copycat at work?

Sometimes the past is best forgotten…

Evelyn has waited eighteen years for a chance to investigate, but when she returns to Rose Bay, she finds a dark side to the seemingly idyllic town. As the place erupts in violence and the kidnapper strikes again, Evelyn knows this is her last chance. If she doesn’t figure out what happened to Cassie eighteen years ago, it may be Evelyn s turn to vanish without a trace.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This is the second book in the Profiler series which features Evelyn Baines as an FBI profiler who struggles with her past, the disappearance of her best friend when she was a child and her current employment position. Though this is a part of a series this book can be read without reading book 1 since the author recaps fairly well what happens in the first book in the series. I have to be honest, throughout this book I was pretty impatient because I just knew who the kidnapper was and who it wasn’t and I was so frustrated with the entire cast of characters – especially Evelyn for wasting so much time looking in the wrong directions! I was seriously so fed up with the false chase that I was yelling at my Kindle. Then – FINALLY – they realize what I’ve realized the whole time…OH BUT I WAS WRONG! Oh my gosh I was so wrong and I loved that I was. It is truly enjoyable to be so confident in something and have the author throw you for a complete loop – I did not see that coming and that’s a highly paid compliment. That cemented the book for me in the great read category. I did enjoy the supporting characters – Tomas was my favorite, and I also enjoyed Kyle and Evelyn. Evelyn did seem weak and totally irrational at times, but there were others where she was very assertive and confident. If I saw more of that side of her I bet I’d like her a lot more. All in all a good read that’s definitely worth reading to the very last page.

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

January 21, 2015January 18, 2015

Natasha reviews The Same Sky by Amanda Eyre Ward

TITLE: The Same Sky
CHARACTERS: Alice Conroe & Carla Trujilio
AUTHOR: Amanda Eyre Ward
PUBLICATION DATE: 1/20/15
ORDER LINKS:Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS: A beautiful, powerful novel about motherhood, desire, and faith set amongst the changing lives of Americans along the border, from the author of How to Be Lost, “America’s best-kept literary secret” (Bookpage). For reader’s of Orphan Train and The Language of Flowers.
In this heartrending and poignant novel, award-winning author Amanda Eyre Ward tells the story of Alice Conroe, a forty year old Texas barbecue owner who has the perfect life, except she and her husband long for a child. Unable to conceive, she’s trying desperately to adopt but her destiny is quickly altered by a young woman she’s never met.
Fearless thirteen-year-old Carla Trujilio is being raised by her grandmother in Honduras along with her four year old twin brothers. Her mother is sending money home from Texas where she’s trying to make a better life for her family, but she only has enough to bring one son to her. When Carla’s grandmother dies, Carla decides to take her fate into her own hands and embarks on a dangerous journey across the border with Junior, the twin left behind.
Two powerful journeys intersecting at a pivotal moment in time: Alice and Carla’s lives will be forever and profoundly changed. Heartbreaking, emotional, and arresting, this novel is about finding the courage to trail blaze your own path in life with faith, hope and love, no matter the struggle or the tragedy

REVIEW:
This was a stunning novel. It follows the heartbreaking lives of Alice and Carla who are both searching for what they want most in the world. The author does an amazing job at really making you feel invested in each character and their story. I read the book in one night because I could not put it down. Each chapter alternates points of view from Carla to Alice until they meet in a gripping finale. The story opens up your mind to startling realities you may not understand. Beautifully written, emotional tale that I really am happy I read. I highly recommend this for a quick read.

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

January 7, 2015December 28, 2014

Natasha reviews How To Plan A Wedding For A Royal Spy by Vanessa Kelly

TITLE: How to Plan a Wedding For a Royal Spy
SERIES #: Renegade Royals #3
CHARACTERS: Captain William Endicott & Evie Whitney
AUTHOR: Vanessa Kelly
PUBLICATION DATE: 1/6/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Whether as spies or lovers, the Renegade Royals—illegitimate sons of England’s Royal Princes—are bold, skillful, and a force to be reckoned with…

A war hero returned from Waterloo should be able to indulge in a bit of bad behavior. Instead, Captain William Endicott is summoned by his father, the Duke of York, to investigate an assassination plot. The unlikely suspect: William’s former sweetheart. Will can’t believe that innocent Evie Whitney could be mixed up in anything so nefarious. Then again, almost everything about Evie has changed—except for his body’s instinctive response to hers…

Just as Evie’s life is finally coming together, Will saunters back into it. Should she slap him—or seduce him? Even as she tries to decide, scandal pushes her toward marriage with a man she can neither trust nor resist—and into the heart of a deadly conspiracy…

REVIEW: I hate picking up books in the middle of the series, especially if I don’t know they’re a part of a series. This is book 3 in a series and I didn’t realize that until I was well into the book .That said, it didn’t matter. This author gives enough background and reference information that you do not feel like you’ve missed anything and are able to read this book as a stand alone. This is very important to me when inadvertently starting in the middle of a series. If nothing else, this book made me want to go back and read the first two books in this series so I could experience everything that came before; however if you don’t have the time it’s not necessary. This was a nice historical romance that was equal parts entertaining and intriguing. This is a great idea for a series, with great side characters that I cannot wait to see get their own books cough Alec cough. Anywho, I highly recommend this series, it’s truly a great read.

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

January 2, 2015December 27, 2014

Natasha reviews Rise Of The Phoenix by Elianne Adams

TITLE: Rise of the Phoenix
SERIES #: Return to Avalore #2
CHARACTERS: Brienne & Evan
AUTHOR: Elianne Adams
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/30/14
ORDER LINKS:Amazon|

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Shattered by bitter rejection, Brienne Roberts flees Avalore. Taken in by the Erritols, she’s stunned at the kindness displayed by her supposed sworn enemies. The curse that surrounds her new family torments them, and she is determined to end it, no matter the cost.
Evan Mayfield, her named mate, will stop at nothing to eliminate all threats to his people. Discovering Brienne living with the man-beasts disgusts and infuriates him, but he must do his duty—to bring her back to face justice with her people, and himself.
Brienne’s pride cannot smother the undeniable love she has for Evan. And despite Brienne’s treachery, keeping her at arm’s length will be the hardest thing Evan has ever done.

REVIEW:
I just love this series so much! This is the second full length novel in the Return to Avalore series and features Evan and Brienne. Evan is the brother to the Queen of Avalore and his duty to protect his people has always come first in his life – until he finds he is to be mated to Brienne. Due to misunderstandings and equal amounts of stubbornness these two were torn apart from one another for years and an unlikely confrontation brings them together again.

I loved these two together! Brienne made an intriguing appearance in book one, Call of the Dragon and I couldn’t wait to learn more about her and Evan. Their story did not disappoint. The chemistry between these two is electric. I also loved how equal they were. They are both incredibly strong and capable individuals and are each protective of each other, but they are also understanding of each other’s abilities and strengths – it was refreshing. I also really enjoyed the story line in this story. Many lingering questions I’d had from book one were answered (yay!). I was interested the entire time and really loved seeing what life was like with the Erritrol’s. This author has done a great amount of world building and I will anxiously await all installments of this series.

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

January 1, 2015December 27, 2014

Natasha reviews Call Of The Dragon by Elianne Adams

TITLE: Call of the Dragon
SERIES #: Return to Avalore #1
CHARACTERS: Rhia & Drake
AUTHOR: Elianne Adams
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/1/14
ORDER LINKS:Amazon|

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Rhia Atkinson is a woman on the run. The same vicious creatures that killed her mother four years ago are still on the hunt, and she’s the prey. She thought she’d come to terms with her solitary existence until Drake comes along, reigniting her dreams of family and belonging. His tall tales of a missing queen and the looming extinction of a race of people she never knew existed has her agreeing to go on a journey to Avalore. Traditions as old as time stand in her way as she tries to convince Drake that he’s her choice for a mate. With the enemy breathing down her neck, all she has to do is figure out a way to make it work before she ends up joined to some stranger, or worse, dead.
Drake Sperwell has spent years searching for one woman, the Queen of Avalore. Time is running out. With the survival of their entire species hanging in the balance, failure is not an option. When he finds her deep in battle in New York City, all his prayers are answered. What he didn’t count on was his reaction to the woman, or his dragon’s need to claim her as its mate. Denying their chemistry might just kill him, but she’s off limits. Her destiny lies with her true mate in Avalore.

REVIEW:
OH MY GOSH I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!! I could not put it down! Ok, sorry, I know I’m yelling right now, but I am so relieved and happy to read a book that I absolutely loved. It’s such a sigh of relief to be excited about a series again! First of all can we all just sigh at this cover, it’s gorgeous! This is the first story in the new Return to Avalore series. It follows Rhiannon who recently learned that she is the lost Queen of the magical land called Avalore. Drake is a dedicated citizen of Avalore who spent years searching for their lost queen in hopes of bringing her back to their homeland and saving their people. From the moment they meet the connection between Rhia and Drake was obvious and undeniable. They go through countless obstacles and trials that bring them closer together, only to have them torn apart. I loved these two together, they are extremely strong individually but you could tell that they were just meant for each other. They were the perfect pairing. I was never bored while reading this story and just wanted to soak up every single character. The supporting characters were just as strong and lovable as the main characters. The only thing I felt missing was a little more detail on how and why Rhia was removed from Avalore in the first place. There are some assumptions but I don’t feel it was clearly explained. I’m not sure if that’s something we’ll see play out in future books or not, but I hope so. I cannot wait to see what else this author has in store for this series I will be a dedicated follower! I highly recommend this book.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

December 24, 2014November 29, 2014

Natasha reviews Virals by Kathy Reichs

TITLE: Virals
SERIES #: Virals #1
CHARACTERS: Tory, Hiram, Ben & Shelton
AUTHOR: Kathy Reichs
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/2/10
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Tory Brennan, niece of acclaimed forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan (of the Bones novels and hit TV show), is the leader of a ragtag band of teenage “sci-philes” who live on a secluded island off the coast of South Carolina. When the group rescues a dog caged for medical testing on a nearby island, they are exposed to an experimental strain of canine parvovirus that changes their lives forever.

As the friends discover their heightened senses and animal-quick reflexes, they must combine their scientific curiosity with their newfound physical gifts to solve a cold-case murder that has suddenly become very hot if they can stay alive long enough to catch the killer’s scent.

Fortunately, they are now more than friends. They’re a pack. They are Virals

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts This is the first book in the Virals series by Kathy Reichs. This series tells the story of Tory Brennan – niece to famous forensic anthropologist, Temperance Brennan – and her friends Ben, Hiram and Shelton. These four are best friends who live on a secluded island and their parent’s work in a research facility. They are curious by nature and get into all kinds of trouble together. When an accidental discovery turns into a life or death situation their worlds change forever. I really enjoyed this story. Tory and her friends are a great group of kids to follow and are incredibly resourceful and courageous. The ending of the story came as a surprise to me, I didn’t see a lot of it coming – which is good. The writing is solid, comical and compelling. Once I got into it, I couldn’t put the book down. These kids are wild and the situations they get into are so crazy you have to keep reading to see how they’ll get out of it. There are many other books in the series and I’m just getting started.

Disclaimer:
I purchased a copy of this book. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

December 19, 2014November 29, 2014

Natasha reviews The Good Girl by Mary Kubica

TITLE: The Good Girl
CHARACTERS: Mia & Colin
AUTHOR: Mary Kubica
PUBLICATION DATE: 7/29/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS: “I’ve been following her for the past few days. I know where she buys her groceries, where she has her dry cleaning done, where she works. I don’t know the color of her eyes or what they look like when she’s scared. But I will.”
Born to a prominent Chicago judge and his stifled socialite wife, Mia Dennett moves against the grain as a young inner-city art teacher. One night, Mia enters a bar to meet her on-again, off-again boyfriend. But when he doesn’t show, she unwisely leaves with an enigmatic stranger. With his smooth moves and modest wit, at first Colin Thatcher seems like a safe one-night stand. But following Colin home will turn out to be the worst mistake of Mia’s life.
Colin’s job was to abduct Mia as part of a wild extortion plot and deliver her to his employers. But the plan takes an unexpected turn when Colin suddenly decides to hide Mia in a secluded cabin in rural Minnesota, evading the police and his deadly superiors. Mia’s mother, Eve, and detective Gabe Hoffman will stop at nothing to find them, but no one could have predicted the emotional entanglements that eventually cause this family’s world to shatter.
An additively suspenseful and tautly written thriller, The Good Girl is a compulsive debut that reveals how even in the perfect family, nothing is as it seems….

REVIEW: Wow! I wish I could be more eloquent, but I just can’t seem to pick my jaw up off the floor. I listened to this book on audio, which I highly recommend. The narrators are fabulous and give the story more character and greater depth. This book was 10 hours long which is really hard for a full time employed mother of two to get through with any sort of speed – but I finished it in 2 days because I was listening to it at every waking moment! This story was intense from the very beginning and it didn’t stop. The author alternated point of views from the “before” and “after” of some of the involved parties – that way we get bits and pieces of information but just enough to keep us guessing until the very end. Literally, the last 11 minutes had me screaming and crying and feeling so many feels I just didn’t know what to do with myself. I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it. If you’re a fan of suspense, drama and great writing then you’ll love this book!

Disclaimer:
I purchased a copy of this book on my own. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

December 17, 2014November 29, 2014

Kelly & Natasha review Masters Of Pleasure by Delilah Marvelle

TITLE: Masters of Pleasure
SERIES #: School of Gallantry #5
CHARACTERS: Malcolm Thayer & Leona Webster
AUTHOR: Delilah Marvelle
PUBLICATION DATE: November 28, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The greatest divide between a man and a woman is not the one society sets before them but the one they set before themselves…

After Miss Leona Olivia Webster had allowed herself to fall in love with a dashing childhood friend who had left her scorned and pregnant, she is done chasing her happily-ever-after. Shunned by society, she dedicates herself to raising her young son and putting money in their pockets. She doesn’t expect to be drawn to her latest master, a brooding man of hulking presence who carves random messages into walls with his Persian blade as a means of starting a flirtation.

Malcolm Gregory Thayer, the earl of Brayton, may have dedicated himself to a life of religious virtue after leaving the monastery due to dark tendencies, but after meeting Leona, he begins to yearn for the life that had never been his. When he meets a retired French courtesan who invites him to embrace what he has long feared, he seizes the opportunity to become the man he always wanted to be. His new mission is clear. He intends to finally serve the one thing he never had: his heart.

KELLY’S REVIEW:
4 Hearts Both Malcolm & Leona are in very different places in their life. Leona finds herself fighting for the life she has built for herself and her son. But when the debt collector comes calling Leona finds herself in much more of a pickle with the a group of men. Thankfully her knight in shiny armor happens to be walking down the street. Malcolm is only in town for a short time. But stepping in to help the lovely Leona is about to turn his world upside down.

I have to tell you this is my first School of Gallantry novel by Ms. Marvelle. I have read all of Ms. Marvelle’s other books. I do have the first 4 books in the School of Gallantry series and after reading Master of Pleasure I am looking forward reading them. If you are a Delilah Marvelle fan you will love this book. If you are new, never fear you can read this book as a stand alone easily.

NATASHA’S REVIEW:
5 Hearts Full disclosure – I absolutely love everything Delilah writes and think she is amazingly great at historical romance. This is the fifth story in her incredibly addictive, funny, seductive School of Gallantry series. In this installment we get the story of the delectably scarred and mysterious Lord Brayton and how his life is forever changed when he comes to the rescue of Miss Leona Webster and her son Jacob.

Leona is a single mother who has struggled through heartbreak and misery, all while trying to make a better life for her and her son. I immediately loved Leona when we first met her, and I was literally giddy during her and Brayton’s first exchanges. I was so intrigued and excited by them and their possible future. I loved how open and honest these two were with each other from the start. I was rooting from them from the beginning – even when Brayton was being so incredibly stubborn.

Since we’ve seen many of the classroom scenes from the School of Gallantry during this series, we don’t see a lot of them recreated in this story. We do however get much more of Prince Nasser from Persia – who I adore! I was so excited to see more about him and how he and Brayton became associated. I wouldn’t complain if he got his own novella – just saying! Anywho, this story really focuses on Brayton and Leona together more than we see them interacting with others in this world which I really appreciated. It gave them the time they needed to truly get to know each other and was so refreshing to see. All in all I loved this story so much and will always anxiously await anything Delilah chooses to write! If you haven’t read her work, please go out NOW and start reading some truly great historical romance from a gifted author.

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

December 11, 2014November 29, 2014

Natasha reviews Cross Roads by Donald Wilson III

TITLE: Cross Roads
CHARACTERS: Shawna, Decker and Gibbs
AUTHOR: Donald Wilson II
PUBLICATION DATE: 8/1/2014
ORDER LINKS:Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Being sixteen, homeless and surviving on her wits has made Shawna’s life more than a little challenging. Now she is also the target of the Doma, creatures who appear human, and is on the run. She has never bothered anyone and makes it a point to stay in the background.
So why are they trying to kill her?
After barely escaping with her life, Shawna must ally herself with an agent from the only group capable of stopping them and keeping her alive: The Acolytes.
They relocate to a small, rural town and Shawna begins her intense training to join the covert group. She also manages to find friendship and gains the attention of a charming and handsome young man.
Things seem to be going great for once until her new life is interrupted and she is forced to put her training to the test.
Shawna’s world will never be the same again, if she can survive.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This is the story of a homeless teenager in New York city named Shawna. Shawna was orphaned as a child and has been living on the streets with her best friend Javon. However, that life would be short lived as one terrible night Shawna’s world forever changed.

This book was a page turner from the beginning. I was immediately captivated by Decker and his lethal persona. The opening scene had me hooked and it was all because of him. He comes across Shawna one night and intervenes during a terrible situation. He admits to Shawna that the world does have its monsters – the Doma. These are creatures who may look human, but are anything but. Shawna begins to train as an Acolyte with Decker in the hopes of fighting off this evil – along with Decker’s handy assistant Mr. Gibbs (who I adore)!

This author was new to me and I really enjoyed this book. This story highlights the turbulent lifestyle of a homeless teenager in a big city who was thrust into a whole new way of life. I felt that the way the story was told, and the way Shawna reacted was very true for someone her age – even though she is an exceptional young woman. The outcome of the story remained a mystery to me, nothing was given away and I found myself surprised more than once at a turn of events – which is always welcome! This was an intriguing story with even more intriguing characters – including the Doma, who I found kinda fascinating. If you’re looking for a good fantasy YA read I definitely recommend it!

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

About the Author: (need to add author photo please)
Donald Wilson II has been writing from a young age and has been published in numerous publications. When he is not hammering at his computer and creating new stories or catching up on sports news, he can be found traveling across globe. He lives in Westchester County, NY with his family and is currently working on book two of the CROSSROADS series.

You can find and contact Donald here:
– Website: http://www.donaldwilson2.com
– Cross Roads website: http://www.crossroadsbookseries.com
– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrossRoadsSeries
– Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dwils2
– Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8509333.Donald_Wilson_II
– Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/dwils2

You can find Cross Roads on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23125008-cross-roads

You can watch the book trailer here on Youtube: http://youtu.be/JdbFh3h0ARI

December 4, 2014November 29, 2014

Natasha reviews Owning Violet by Monica Murphy

TITLE: Owning Violet
SERIES #: Fowler Sisters #1
CHARACTERS: Violet & Ryder
AUTHOR: Monica Murphy
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/2/2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
New York Times bestselling author Monica Murphy begins a sexy new contemporary romance series – perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Emma Chase – that introduces three sisters born to wealth, raised to succeed, ready to love, destined to make waves.
I’ve moved through life doing what’s expected of me. I’m the middle daughter, the dutiful daughter. The one who braved a vicious attack and survived. The one who devoted herself to her family’s business empire. The one who met an ambitious man and fell in love. We were going to run Fleur Cosmetics together, Zachary and I.
Until he got a promotion and left me in the dust. Maybe it’s for the best, between his disloyalty and his wandering eye. But another man was waiting for me. Wanting me. He too has an overwhelming thirst for success, just like Zachary – perhaps even more so. He’s also ruthless. And mysterious. I know nothing about Ryder McKay beyond that he makes me feel things I’ve never felt before.
One stolen moment, a kiss, a touch . . . and I’m hooked. Ryder’s like a powerful drug, and I’m an addict who doesn’t want to be cured. He tells me his intentions aren’t pure, and I believe him. For once, I don’t care. I’m willing to risk everything just to be with him. Including my heart. My soul.
My everything

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Ooh this book made me so mad and so happy all at the same time. It tells the story of shy pushover Violet and over confident womanizer Ryder. These two are an unlikely pair as they are complete opposites. We start off not liking Ryder at all, which was done on purpose – he’s not a good guy. Violet was also not likeable from the very beginning, because you felt so upset that she was such a pushover and you wanted her to be stronger and more secure. She had the capability to be so strong but she was letting herself be trampled over, which is hard to read. That said, she definitely grew throughout the story and I think she found herself and her inner strength. She makes some decisions along the way that many people wouldn’t make, but they worked for her. Ryder continued to be a jerk throughout the book, but he made incremental changes that turned him into a much different person by the end of the book. There are also great antagonists in the book that you completely love to hate! Overall it was a very good story, super intense, very explicit love scenes and a feeling of closure and completeness – loved the epilogue. There are two other books coming out in this series starring Violet’s sisters Rose and Lily that I cannot wait to read because I just love these two!

Disclaimer:
I received a copy of this book from Random House Publishing Group – Bantam Dell. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

November 28, 2014November 22, 2014

Natasha reviews Changeling by Philippa Gregory

TITLE: Changeling
SERIES #: Order of Darkness #1
CHARACTERS: Isolde & Luca
AUTHOR: Philippa Gregory
PUBLICATION DATE: 5/24/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Dark myths, medieval secrets, intrigue, and romance populate the pages of the first-ever teen series from #1 bestselling author of The Other Boleyn Girl.
Italy, 1453. Seventeen-year-old Luca Vero is brilliant, gorgeous—and accused of heresy. Cast out of his religious order for using the new science to question old superstitious beliefs, Luca is recruited into a secret sect: The Order of the Dragon, commissioned by Pope Nicholas V to investigate evil and danger in its many forms, and strange occurrences across Europe, in this year—the end of days.
Isolde is a seventeen-year-old girl shut up in a nunnery so she can’t inherit any of her father’s estate. As the nuns walk in their sleep and see strange visions, Isolde is accused of witchcraft—and Luca is sent to investigate her, but finds himself plotting her escape.
Despite their vows, despite themselves, love grows between Luca and Isolde as they travel across Europe with their faithful companions, Freize and Ishraq. The four young people encounter werewolves, alchemists, witches, and death-dancers as they head toward a real-life historical figure who holds the boundaries of Christendom and the secrets of the Order of the Dragon.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts I love historical romances and love everything Philippa Gregory writes. She’s extremely knowledgeable about historical characters and her writing is amazing. I was very curious about her Young Adult series since I had never read a YA that was also a historical, so decided to give it a go. I’m happy that I did. This has all the tells of Philippa’s writing. It’s elegant, poignant and full of accurate historical context. There are a number of supporting characters in this book that are all equally intriguing and I am actually very excited to see how all of their stories will play out. Isolde and Luca are both likable enough, though I cannot say I love them just yet. However, the antics Luca and his companions get themselves into is almost comical and his squire – Freize is hilarious. He stole this story in my opinion. This was a great read and I’m excited to see what else is in store for this group of characters!
Disclaimer:
I purchased a copy of this book. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.