Taking over the world, one book at a time
01.18.16
Natasha reviews If Someone Says “You Complete Me,” RUN! by Whoopi Goldberg
01.19.16
Kelly reviews Known by Kendra Elliot
01.20.16
Gift Ideas for the Book Lover #67
Kelly reviews White Trash Zombie Gone Wild by Diana Rowland
01.21.16
Kimberly reviews Missing by Randa Flannery
01.22.16
Kelly reviews No Other Darkness by Sarah Hilary
01.23.16
TITLE: No Other Darkness
SERIES #: DI Marnie Rome #2
CHARACTERS: DI Marine Rome
AUTHOR: Sarah Hilary
NARRATOR: Justine Eyre
RUN TIME: 10 hours & 24 minutes
PUBLICATION DATE:
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | Audible | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Sarah Hilary, winner of the 2015 Theakston’s Crime Novel of the Year for SOMEONE ELSE’S SKIN returns with the phenomenal follow-up to the critically acclaimed Richard and Judy pick. David Mark says that NO OTHER DARKNESS is ‘truly mesmerising’, with Eva Dolan calling it ‘utterly gripping’. D.I. Marnie Rome is back with her most complex case to date.
Two young boys.
Trapped underground in a bunker.
Unable to understand why they are there.
Desperate for someone to find them.
Slowly realizing that no-one will…
Five years later, the boys’ bodies are found and the most difficult case of DI Marnie Rome’s career begins.
Her only focus is the boys. She has to find out who they are and what happened to them.
For Marnie, there is no other darkness than this
REVIEW:
4.75 Hearts No Other Darkness is Ms. Hilary’s follow up story to her amazing debut novel Someone Else’s Skin (go read this one!!!) and boy howdy did she knock this one out of the park!!!!
No Other Darkness is filled with so many twists and turns that I worried I would never find my way out of the maze of this story. We find our self once again following DI Marnie Rome investigating the finding of two young bodies. Two young bodies that have been down in that bunker for 4-5 years. Two young bodies in the dark, in the cold and left behind.
Man, I am not even sure how to tell how much this story was disturbed me and intrigued me. I don’t want to say anything to give anything away or give you any clues. If you are a suspense fan you will love this series. I am already excited for the next DI Marnie Rome story.
Ms. Justine Eyre as always does an amazing job as her role as narrator. Ms. Eyre is one of my favorite narrators out there. I love a narrator that can make each character sound so different. It is great when you can close your eyes (but not while I am driving, which is where I do most of my listening), just listen and you know who each character is speaking before you are told.
Again, I can not wait for the next novel in this series. And yes, it will be on my pre-order audible list.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tantor Media in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
TITLE: Missing
CHARACTERS: Rowan Quaide
AUTHOR: Randa Flannery
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/15/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Haunted by her best friend’s disappearance, always practical Rowan Quaide lives a life of cold logic. As an intelligence analyst, her world is ruled by who has the best strategy and Ro’s reasoned control makes her Queen.
A Chance encounter with a man from her past stretches the bounds of reason and throws her into a game of dark deception and danger. With the past creeping from her nightmares into her reality, Ro pits herself against the monster determined to destroy the new love she’s found.
As the intel gets more and more disturbing and events begin to spin out of control, she must rely on her instincts and cling to an unreasonable truth, or allow logic to tear her apart.
REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts What a shock this book turned out to be. Having not read this author before and to be honest not even sure if this is the first book by the author I was unsure what to expect but I have to say this really surprised me.
The story was interesting and suspenseful but wasn’t dark like so many thrillers are these days. It seems the stories are fluff romances (which is my favorite so that is a compliment) or dark to the bone and there is no in between but this one had the perfect amount of thrill and romance to keep me interested.
I found the story to be a quick read with really well written characters. Give this book a try. I do not think you will be disappointed. And I look forward to more from this author.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Each set of bookends is custom made. Wood blocks are first sanded and stained in a red oak finish. Graphic is then transferred to the wood using a gel medium. Bookends are then distressed by hand and sealed with a protective coating of polyurethane.
Each salvaged wood block measures approximately 5” tall x 3 3/8” wide x 3 3/8” thick.
Please NOTE: actual colors may vary slightly from the colors depicted on your screen.
Colors: Due to variances in computer monitors, the actual colors of the sticker could vary from what you see on your screen.
~~~ Description ~~~
Wood letter turned into art for all book lovers. Small wood letters are embellished with rolled pages from vintage books. Letters are mounted within a cute, square decorative wood frame with customized mat. This listing shows a beautiful lavender print background. Lots of color and design options! There is a satin ribbon hanger attached to the frame so it’s ready to be hung on a wall, or it can sit nicely on a shelf. (Wood frame is 6″ square; letters are slightly more than 2″.)
Each letter is carefully handcrafted and custom made for you. Book pages are affixed to the letter and then a light acrylic coating is applied for long-term durability. You can select any letter of the alphabet and a variety of mat colors (see attached photo). Likewise, the frame can come in an ornate white (cream) or black color. This listing is for one framed letter; however, they look great in groupings (initials, full name, words, etc.).
TITLE: White Trash Zombie Gone Wild
SERIES #: White Trash Zombie #5
CHARACTERS: Angel Crawford
AUTHOR: Diana Rowland
NARRATOR: Allison McLemore
RUN TIME: 11 Hours & 18 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: October 6, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | Audible | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Angel Crawford has buried her loser past and is cruising along in undead high gear—that is, until a murder-by-decapitation sends her on a hazardous detour. As Angel hunts for the killer, she uncovers a scheme that would expose zombies to the public and destroy the life she’s built, and she’s determined not to rest until she finds out who’s behind it.
Soon she’s neck-deep in lies, redneck intrigue, zombie hunters, and rot-sniffing cadaver dogs. It’s up to her to unravel the truth and snuff out the conspiracy before the existence of zombies makes headline news and she’s outed as a monster.
But Angel hasn’t quite escaped the pill-popping ghosts of her past—not with an illicit zombie pharmaceutical at her fingertips. Good thing she’s absolutely sure she can handle the drug’s unpredictable side effects and still take down the bad guys…or maybe she’s only one bad choice away from being dead meat—for real this time.
Angel knows a thing or two about kicking ass, but now the ass she needs to kick might be her own.
REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Well Angel you did it again.
White Trash Zombie Gone Wild (WTZGW) was another fun and exciting Angel Crawford adventure. Boy howdy did Angel get herself into a huge pile of you know what. But as Angel always does she finds a way to not only pull herself out of the pile of crap she was in, gets the job done and saves the day.
I enjoyed this story a lot, maybe not as much as a few other books in this series. There was a lot going on in WTZGW. The Tribe is stretched thin leaving Angel on her own to watch, wait and see what is happening locally. But as everything starts to happen Angel is able to you her witty, street smarts and just dumb luck to figure out the issues at hand.
I really liked the Bear and Angel show. That was a hoot and a half. Nick has turned out to be a pretty good guy (still not my favorite person, but he is growing on me).
As always Allison McLemore does a fabulous job of bring Angel and all of Tucker Point to life. I thoroughly enjoy having Allison read to me and can’t wait for the next one.
It should be interesting to see where Ms. Rowland takes Angel from here. Until next time Angel, keep doing you!!!
Disclaimer:
I purchased this audio book and this review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
TITLE: Known
SERIES #: Bone Secrets #5
CHARACTERS: Chris Jacobs & Gianna Trask
AUTHOR: Kendra Elliot
PUBLICATION DATE: January 19, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
After a brutal snowstorm in the Cascade Mountains, Chris Jacobs discovers two things he never expected to see: the charred shell of a cabin and Gianna Trask and her sixteen-year-old daughter huddled in an SUV, having barely escaped from their burning vacation rental.
Still scarred from a childhood ordeal, Chris knows there’s something sinister about the scene—it’s the stench of burned flesh.
Forced to wait out the blizzard in their rescuer’s retreat, medical examiner Gianna Trask wonders if her hidden past has finally caught up with her. When a body is found in the destroyed cabin’s ashes and a forest ranger is brutally murdered, both Gianna and Chris must confront their secrets—to escape the violent threat lurking outside.
In the fifth book in the Bone Secrets series, Kendra Elliot leads readers on a dangerous, twisting journey of two lives forever changed by a fiery snowstorm in the mountains.
REVIEW:
Finally!!! We finally get Chris’ story.
When we first met Chris in Buried (book #3 in the series, I would suggest reading Buried 1st) I knew that his story was going to be a very emotional one. As a child Chris lived through a hell that no one should have have to live through. But since his Michael and Jamie forced him into the real world Chris has had to learn to live again. If not for himself, but for his son and his family. But now Chris finds himself in another life or death battle. But this time it is not just his life that is in danger it is the beautiful stranger and her brave daughter.
Gianna has her own demons that she has had to deal with over the years. But nothing could prepare her for the events that were about to happen when she choice to take a weekend trip into the Cascade mountains.
This was an amazing story!! There were so many things that I was not expecting to happen. Ms. Elliot does a great job of bring us a romantic suspense story that not only makes us want to read fast and keep those pages turning. But also to show us that love even when it is totally unexpected can heal some of the deepest wounds that someone can have.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Amazon Publishing/ Montlake Romance in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
TITLE: If Someone Says “You Complete Me,” RUN!: Whoopi’s Big Book of Relationships
AUTHOR: Whoopi Goldberg
PUBLICATION DATE: October 13, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From the provocative and hilarious EGOT winner, bestselling author, and host of The View, Whoopi Goldberg, comes the perfect antidote to all those outdated relationship advice books in the world, weighing in on why marriage isn’t for everybody, and how the life you want shouldn’t be the life everyone else expects you to have.
Whoopi Goldberg has been an electrifying, envelope-pushing public figure of many stripes: acclaimed actor, comedienne, singer, songwriter, author, political activist and talk show host. Now, Whoopi will speak openly about why marriage isn’t for everyone, how being alone can be satisfying, and how what’s most important is understanding who you are and what makes you happy. Wise, funny, and conversation-starting, Whoopi’s message is sure to resonate with the millions of people who struggle with relationships every day.
Goldberg says: “I get to hear from a lot of different people about relationships and this got me trying to figure out why the divorce rate is SO high. It occurred to me that as one who has done it badly often, I might have some insight. It’s hard to really know the other person’s agenda, but if someone says ‘you complete me’…RUN!!!”
REVIEW:
I don’t typically read “self help” books. However, I am a Whoopi Goldberg fan and being in a new relationship after many years, I figured it would be fun to give this book a go. I’m very happy I read it! Not necessarily for the advice it gives, because I think Whoopi Goldberg and I think the same things about relationships, which may be why I am a fan of her. But the way she explains things and the examples she gives are hilarious. I was sort of shocked at the common sense advice that she gave, but then considered that people really did act this way, and for some the advice was needed. I think she gives a great view of what a healthy relationship could be, and empowers individuals to look for what is right for them and not conform to whatever society thinks they should be. The book focuses on the individual being strong with or without a partner. She explains the dangers of fantasizing and hoping all romance is of the Nicholas Sparks variety. I loved reading it, I laughed out loud a lot. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for some humor or anyone looking for genuine relationship advice, I think both individuals will benefit from it.
Disclaimer:
I purchased a copy of this book. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
TITLE: The One You Want
SERIES #: Original Heartbreakers #0.5
CHARACTERS: Dane Michaelson & Kenna Starr
AUTHOR: Gena Showalter
PUBLICATION DATE: March 1, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter introduces the Original Heartbreakers—about sexy bad boys each meeting their match—with a special prequel novella!
In small-town Oklahoma, reputation is everything, and Kenna Starr will do anything to overcome hers. The supposed bad girl is determined to walk the straight and narrow, a seemingly impossible task when Tall, Dark and Sexy shows up…
Rich and powerful, Dane Michaelson is every woman’s dream. When he returns to Strawberry Valley after a sixteen-year absence, he is unprepared for the redheaded girl he’s never been able to forget. She’s all woman now—and he’s never wanted anyone more. But to have her, he’ll have to break through her defenses… and surrender his own.
* First published in the 2014 anthology, All For You.
REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts I liked this story. Ms. Showalter always writes a story that tugs at your heartstrings. And The One You Want does all of that and more. It was also great to see the other characters before their stories (West, Jase & Beck). And of course little Norrie. This kid is so much fun!!!
While I enjoyed Dane & Kerra’s story I felt that there were a lot of unanswered questions and issues. I would have like to see those all resolved. Of course being a novella it is hard to do everything. But I still would have liked them to answered.
When I read this novella I had already read the first two books in the series. But that didn’t have any effect on this novella. Now I need to go get books 3
Disclaimer:
I purchased this book and this review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
We cannot tell you how excited we are to bring you the Release Week Blitz for LOVE IN THE LIGHT by Laura Kaye! LOVE IN THE LIGHT is a novel told in dual POV and Part Two of her bestselling Hearts in Darkness Duet. This much anticipated follow-up is finally here! Make sure you grab your copy of this sexy novel today, and if you’re new to the series you can grab the first novella HEARTS IN DARKNESS for just $.99 for a limited time!
TITLE: Love in the Light
SERIES #: Hearts in Darkness #2
CHARACTERS: Caden Grayson & Makenna James
AUTHOR: Laura Kaye
PUBLICATION DATE: January 12, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N | Amazon UK | iBooks | Kobo
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Two hearts in the darkness…
Makenna James and Caden Grayson have been inseparable since the day they were trapped in a pitch-black elevator and found acceptance and love in the arms of a stranger. Makenna hopes that night put them on the path to forever—which can’t happen until she introduces her tattooed, pierced, and scarred boyfriend to her father and three over-protective brothers.
Must fight for love in the light…
Haunted by a childhood tragedy and the loss of his family, Caden never thought he’d find the love he shares with Makenna. But the deeper he falls, the more he fears the devastation sure to come if he ever lost her, too. When meeting her family doesn’t go smoothly, Caden questions whether Makenna deserves someone better, stronger, and just more…normal. Maybe they’re too different—and he’s far too damaged—after all.
Add to your Goodreads
Excerpt:
“Do you want to get changed and I’ll set dinner out?” Caden asked.
“Yeah,” Makenna said. “Sounds great.” The kitchen, dining area, and living room were one big room, with her bedroom door toward the far end. She paused there and looked back. Caden moved around her little kitchen, comfortably and familiarly, and he just looked so freaking good there. In her space. Well, their space now.
He still had his townhouse in Fairlington, but he rarely slept there anymore. And it was so bare bones in furnishings that he preferred they not sleep there because he feared she’d be uncomfortable. A part of her wasn’t sure why he even kept it at this point.
“What?” he asked, giving her a skeptical look.
She grinned and leaned against the door jamb. “I rode our elevator today.”
He shook his head. “Anything interesting happen?”
“Oh, I got trapped with a smoking hot stranger and made out with him in the dark. The usual,” she said.
He smirked. “That never happens.”
Makenna threw her head back and laughed. Still smiling, she changed into jeans and a pink camisole with a low back, and then she threw a warm, chunky caramel-colored cardigan over that.
She found Caden sitting at the set table, containers of food overflowing with several types of noodles. It smelled amazing—savory and spicy and like she could eat everything she saw.
For a moment, the look on his face made her think he was upset about something, but then he saw her and his expression transformed into a sexy smirk. “Smoking hot, huh?”
Laughing, she took the seat next to him. “You fishing for compliments, Grayson? I already said you were freaking gorgeous.”
“Yeah, but that’s not the same as smoking hot.” He arched a brow, and damn if his playfully smug, expectant expression wasn’t hot as hell with his brow piercing and the widow’s peak of his dark hair.
She picked up her fork. “Okay, then how about this? You are so freaking gorgeous and so smoking hot that you make my heart race and my mouth water and my panties melt. Every time I see you. How’s that for a compliment?”
Caden’s smile was slow coming but so damn sexy. “I like tattoo night.”
She laughed and shook her head. “So do I.”
KELLY’S REVIEW:
Love in the Light is a great follow up story to Hearts in Darkness.
If you have not read Hearts in Darkness you really need to start there.
Love in the Light picks up a few months after Hearts in Darkness end. With Caden and Makenna navigating their new relationship. With the way that these two meet I would not expect that the rest of their journey would be an easy one. Caden has so many demon from his past that it sometimes makes it hard for him to see any future. Makenna is all sunshine and rainbow. She is the person that all of us need in our life.
There is a lot that happens in Love in the Light that made me fall in love with Caden and Makenna all over again. I laughed, I cried and I wanted to slap Caden upside the head a few times. Oh and I love Mckenna’s family (well maybe not Ian)!!!
I truly hope that this is not the last time we will see these two.
Make sure to check out Hearts in Darkness by Laura Kaye here: Amazon | B&N
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from InkSlinger PR in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
Praise for LOVE IN THE LIGHT:
“Readers that have been anxiously waiting for more of this story will be thrilled with the passionate and poignant way Kaye dives back in with this complicated and much loved couple. Love in the Light will have readers falling in love with Caden and Makenna all over again!” ~ Jay Crownover, New York Times Bestselling Author of the Marked Men Series
“Sexy, emotional and incredibly heartwarming, fans of Laura Kaye won’t be disappointed!” ~ Monica Murphy, New York Times Bestselling Author of the One Week Girlfriend Quartet
“Laura Kaye has a gift for writing beautifully damaged men and Caden Grayson leads the pack with enough vulnerability to twist your heart in knots.” ~ Tessa Bailey, New York Times Bestselling Author of the Line of Duty Series
“This book delivers – sweet romance, smoking hot sex, an entire tissue box full of angsty drama, and such love shining off the pages that it will blind you.” ~ Christi Barth, Author of the Shore Secrets Series
“This follow up to one of the most beloved couples in romance is delivered in the emotional and touching way that only Laura Kaye can do. Love in the Light is everything I could have wanted for Makenna and Caden–and more!” ~ Jillian Stein, Read-Love-Blog
About Laura Kaye: Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over twenty books in contemporary and paranormal romance and romantic suspense. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.
TITLE: Three Truths and A Lie
SERIES #: Detective D.D. Warren #7.5
CHARACTERS: Det. Warren
AUTHOR: Lisa Gardner
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/05/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Boston Detective D.D. Warren faces her most brutal adversaries yet—a class of jaded thriller writers—in New York Times Bestselling Author Lisa Gardner’s exclusive e-Book short story
In Lisa Gardner’s second short story, after the New York Times bestseller The 7th Month, Detective D.D. Warren takes on her most intimidating assignment yet: a fifty-minute class meant to educate a horde of bloodthirsty thriller writers on the ways of actual police work. Yet sometimes life really does imitate fiction, as D.D. takes the writers through the reality of one of her most twisted cases—a case that involves a seedy motel room, drugs, prostitution . . . and a severed leg.
With Gardner’s trademark suspense, sharp observations, and thrilling storytelling, Three Truths and a Lie is a fascinating chapter in D.D.’s storied career. Includes an early look at Lisa Gardner’s next novel of suspense, Find Her, coming February 9, 2016.
REVIEW:
This is a short story in the series. I will say I did not realize it was a series when I requested it from NetGalley and it was a bit hard to walk into the story 7 books in and understand but it was still a really good story.
What is interesting is this is a class that D.D. is teaching and she is explaining about a case she had prior. It really kept my attention and wished I could attend a real class like this one day. I can’t say too much about the crime she discusses because of it being such a short story it would give too much away but it was well worth the read and one day hope I can go back and start at the beginning to understand D.D. better.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
TITLE: The Covenant
SERIES #: Jackie Lyons Mystery #2
CHARACTERS: Jackie Lyons
AUTHOR: Jeff Crook
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/12/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Jackie Lyons investigates a father’s mysterious death, in the second installment of her ghostly mystery series
When photographer and former Memphis police detective Jackie Lyons finds Sam Loftin’s lifeless body in the same location where his daughter died five years earlier, there’s no reason to think he didn’t kill himself, too. No reason, except Jackie has just seen Sam’s ghost act out the last violent moments of his life.
In investigating his murder, Jackie is drawn into a tumultuous battle between wealthy and powerful suburbanites and a charismatic preacher trying to serve the poor and homeless. But a deeper mystery lurks beneath the petty rivalries and jealousies of a gated community, one that stretches back into the distant past and reaches out to snare the youngest of this generation. A secret so dark, it can only be protected by “The Covenant.”
REVIEW:
This is the second in a series. I did not read the first but that was fine. This is a typical mystery. It left me wondering what was going to happen and the author through in twist that kept me off guard the whole time. The problem is I just couldn’t relate to the way the characters acted. It just really didn’t ring true for me. I did think the paranormal bit was written really well and was enjoyable.
I don’t want to say too much or the mystery may be spoiled but all in all I thought this was a good mystery. If you are a fan of thrillers that keep you guessing and can get past the odd way the characters are written you will enjoy this story.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.