Indie Spotlight - Howl by Annalise Grey

Howl by Annalise Grey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



This is a college age/adult paranormal romance.

Book Summary

Nineteen year old Sophie Matthews is a line-walker between two worlds - human and werewolf. She lives around humans but is never truly part of their world. That is, until she is spotted by a hiker.

What should have been a passing glance becomes so much more as Sophie falls for the one thing she is forbidden from ever having: a human mate.

Adding to her stress is newcomer Daniel, the arrogant wolf on Sophie's tail.

Then several humans are killed by a mysterious and dangerous beast within the pack's hunting grounds. The humans begin whispering of wolf-men roaming the forest and the threat of discovery looms heavy around the pack.

Everything is falling apart and Sophie realizes just how little control she has over her future.

Will she risk everything - her heart, her family, and her safety - for a chance to control her own fate?

My Review

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Wow, what a book. It is amazing what talent and imagination there is out in the world. So this story was really good and I’m itching to get my hands on the sequel. I haven’t read a lot of solitary werewolf stories, but this was as good as or maybe better than some.

I was capture in a world of forest and wildlife. I could visualize as I went along. Sophie’s world was rich with characters. Some of which we didn’t get to know well, but I didn’t find that to distracting. Tristan, Sophie’s brother, owns my heart. But Jamie and Daniel weren’t too far behind.

Although this wasn’t a short story, it was a quick read. I did however have a few questions.

**********Spoiler***************

• A few pop culture references were made by Sophie though she claimed to not watch tv or movies. I was thrown for a bit, but later then it was mentioned that Sophie had gone to the movies with her brother Thomas and maybe earlier it was mentioned that she may have with a high school friend Emily as well. But then it was weird that it was pointed out that she wouldn’t know about movies or actors when mentioned. Yet, one reference was made to Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie??

• It wasn’t really made clear about previous relationships. In fact, it seemed like she didn’t because when talking to Thomas and Tristan, she never mentioned dating a human. Yet it was clear she and Jamie had sex. No big deal was made about it being her first time however. Nothing was mentioned about other wolves that she could have dated either. And at home all the unmated males were family. So it was quite odd, that she seemed to have sex so causally without it being mentioned it was her first time.

************End Spoiler*************

Overal, I give it 4.5 stars. Really good and I recommend to paranormal romance lovers. There are very mild sexual scenes with little or no description, so there is no worry.

Despite what I said above, my book boyfriend is Jamie and I’m rooting for him. If you want to know why, you’ll have to read.

Jamie



And I’ll thrown in Daniel because well, you have to read.



My heart belongs to Tristan though.






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Hide & Seek (Games of Zeus #1) by Aimee Laine

Hide & Seek by Aimee Laine

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This is an adult paranormal romance novel.

Book Summary

Lie, cheat or steal, no one can catch Tripp Fox. Except one woman.

Lexi Shepherd’s knack for finding whatever is asked of her isn’t sheer luck. It’s a gift from the Greek god Zeus.

That Lexi doesn’t use her ability to search for “Mr. Right” comes from one of many personal rules she has set for herself. Number one is not to let fate dictate her future.

Falling in love with Tripp breaks all the others.

Despite her principles, Lexi’s unable to stay away from the bad boy, and she finds herself toeing the grey line of the law for him.

Zeus, though, didn’t give Lexi and Tripp their talents to make their relationship a simple, easy alliance. He designed it to be exactly the opposite. Impossible. Always.

With their separation, Lexi expects Tripp to forfeit love in favor of destiny. He, on the other hand, intends to beat Zeus at his own game. With a plan in place, Tripp challenges Lexi to take the one action no one else can.

Find him.

The question isn’t can she ... but will she?

My Review

I received this book from the publisher as a part of the Read 2 Review program.

Talk about swept off your feet. Let me just say that this was an enjoyable read. The Zeus fox and hound as the basis for the love story that unfolds is an interesting one. Not familiar with the tale, I was sucked in to read more.

Lexi, the female lead, was a well grounded girl not like some of the silly girls I’ve been reading lately. For the most part her actions were believable and admirable on occasion. Tripp, the hunky male lead was just enough bad boy to entice you but not enough to scare you away.

Now onto the romance. ***Spoiler**** For those that follow my reviews, I’m a stickler when it comes to love at five minutes. So when my hunky semi bad boy Tripp confesses more to himself that he has fallen in love with Lexi in such a short period of time, instead of falling in love with her, the book lost some steam for me.****End Spoiler****

But by the end of the story I was a puddle in the pool of romance, none of what I mentioned above seemed to matter anymore.

However, I did have a few other questions.

****Spoiler***** Just two and nothing big. But the timing in the book seemed to be off.

• When Tripp and Lexi first meet he says to her something to the effect that it is after two in the morning. But when her POV comes back, she mentions coming home at one in the morning. I re-read a couple of times, but I don’t think the problem was me. A minor fix though.

• One other point, Lexi or someone mentioned it was the first day of fall. Then later in the book there is a reference made to the coming Fall season.

Both are minor points and didn’t totally take away from my enjoyment of the book.

Oh, I guess I must say, I did wish for an Ian and Emma hook up that never came.
*****End of Spoiler*****

Overall, I would recommend to my paranormal romance lovers. Especially to those who like a little more romance in their story.

My book boyfriend would be Tripp of course.





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Indie Spotlight - Taken by Charlotte Abel

Taken by Charlotte Abel

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This is a young adult paranomal novel.

Book Summary

Bound by love and magic. Betrayed by those they trust. Not everyone survives.

Gasp-out-loud action, heart-pounding romance and an OMG ending that leaves you hungry for the next book.


My Review

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

It’s always exciting to receive an advance copy of a book you’ve been dying to read. You feel a little special and nervous at the same time. You wonder will this book be as good as the first. Will I be able to honestly give a great review after the author shared their hard work with you?

Let me just say, I have no problems here. This book starts off about right where we left off. Channie and Josh together at last but in a perilous situation no less. But if you thought that Channie and Josh would have a break with at least being together, think again. Charlotte Abel imagination is vast. This story is no less “heart on the edge of our seats” than the last.

I can’t say anymore because I honestly hate giving spoilers away. I think a reader should go in with an unbiased mind to enjoy and get the whole experience. I only leave spoilers when I really need to make a point. So if you enjoyed Enchantment, you will not be disappointed with this story. The cliff hanger was a killer, but aren’t they all if they are written well?

For all those that read book one, don’t delay. Get reading already. For those that haven’t, check out Enchantment, then get to reading Taken.

I recommend for mature audiences. The book is not overly explicit but there are mild sexual scenes in the story.

My book boyfriend is Hunter. I love Josh, but he is not available. So, a girl goes for who is available.

Hunter



I can’t forget Josh





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Halflings (Halflings, #1) by Heather Burch

Halflings by Heather Burch

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



This is a young adult paranormal novel.

Book Summary

After being inexplicably targeted by an evil intent on harming her at any cost, seventeen-year-old Nikki finds herself under the watchful guardianship of three mysterious young men who call themselves halflings. Sworn to defend her, misfits Mace, Raven, and Vine battle to keep Nikki safe while hiding their deepest secret—and the wings that come with.

A growing attraction between Nikki and two of her protectors presents a whole other danger. While she risks a broken heart, Mace and Raven could lose everything, including their souls. As the mysteries behind the boys’ powers, as well as her role in a scientist’s dark plan, unfold, Nikki is faced with choices that will affect the future of an entire race of heavenly beings, as well as the precarious equilibrium of the earthly world.

My Review

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Where to begin? To start off, I really wanted to like this story. There are a lot of good ideas in here. Unfortunately, to me, this book was a soup pot filled with good idea and bad execution.

Nikki is your average paranormal book heroine. She doesn’t believe in her beauty. She is not really a girly girl. And she is generally smart. Not terrible that this is the structure for most paranormal books these days. In fact, I read a number of novels that do well with this base model. Now this author layers on her on touches.

Nikki is an artist, no surprise there. Writers/Authors are creative people and tend to have their heroes and heroines creative people as well. But Nikki also drives a motorcycle. This is new or at least not done a lot. I don’t think it a spoiler to reveal that. Knowing she’s an artist and drives a motorcycle isn’t earth shattering. So that was a good thing.

The problem, I have with Nikki and most of the characters in the book, is the lack of character development. By the end of the book, I really don’t feel like I know her or can relate to her any better. I don’t have to like the main character in the story to enjoy it. But I should feel I understood the reason why they were who they were and how that relates to the story. Nikki was just one dimensional to me. As were the rest of the characters. The character I liked the most was Zero and he played a very minor role, but I found him interesting.

The story started on a bang and really kept moving from there, but I never felt part of the story. The writing was disjointed. At the end of every chapter it felt like you were hunger for a bite of a really good burger, but then the burger is gone and you now have a pencil and paper in your hand. The problem is you have no idea why the burger is gone and what happened to it. Not to mention that you are still starving. It was annoying. This writing style didn’t create a chapter ending cliffhanger to entice you to move to read on. Especially after a few chapters, when you realize that this follows a pattern every time. Just when things get good, we end up at a new place with significant time passage. In fact the timeline is horrible to follow.

I could probably say more, but why beat a dead horse. As I mentioned I received this from the publisher and who knows if I’ll get another book to review after this, but I had to be honest.

On a positive note, like I said, there were a lot of good ideas. The mythology was pretty good. So you might enjoy this one. You don’t have to take my word for it.

My Book Boyfriend if I had to choose would be Mace. But I'll post pics of the other guys too.

Mace


Raven


Vine

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SPOTLIGHT - Resurrection, a YA Paranormal Romance (Book 2 of The Guardians of Vesturon) by A.M. Hargrove

Resurrection, a YA Paranormal Romance by A.M. Hargrove

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is a young adult (college age) novel.


Book Summary

"Maddie knew she was dying. Her life started to flash before her. She had visions of running down the soccer field, scoring a goal, eating her mother’s yummy, homemade, sticky cinnamon rolls, standing in her foyer listening to the police tell her father that her mother had been killed in a car accident. Each vision was disturbingly clear—as if it was happening again."

Rayn Yarrister, the first-born son and Leader of The Guardians, has been imprisoned on Vesturon for breaking their most sacred of covenants. He is suddenly jolted by Maddie's telepathic pleas for help, as her life hangs in the balance. Can he alert The Guardians in time to save his soulmate? Or will he face his trial alone and broken without his one true love?
In Resurrection (Book 2), The Guardians of Vesturon are facing their biggest challenges as Earth is threatened by an invading species from a distant planet intent on destroying it for its resources. The Guardians, as protectors of the universe, have been assembled to defend not only Earth, but other vulnerable worlds as well. The Yarrister family is threatened by an unknown entity intent on discrediting them. Will they uncover this plot in time to save themselves from ruin? Will The Guardians succeed in stopping the Xanthians, or will Earth be invaded and ravaged by this marauding species?

My Review

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Did I like this book? Heck yes! Rayn is back and Maddie is in toe. Maddie grows as a character in story from being clumsy to strong. Does she still make her fair share of mistakes, yes. But with any story that what we want to read and see happen. I can’t share to much other than there are a lot of ups and downs. I wouldn’t want to walk in Maddie’s shoes. But somehow she pulls it off. Rayn, on the other hand, makes tough decisions. But I respect most of them. He’s been through a lot and even the best of us run out of patience at times.

I had some minor problems with the story but nothing that would keep anyone from enjoying it. This story is very interesting and different than any book I read. It captured my attention and I felt drawn back to it each and every time I had to put it down. So go out and read this second in a series after you’ve read Survival.

My book boyfriend is Rayn!






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The Litigators by John Grisham

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



This is a legal mystery novel.

Book Summary

The partners at Finley & Figg—all two of them—often refer to themselves as “a boutique law firm.” Boutique, as in chic, selective, and prosperous. They are, of course, none of these things. What they are is a two-bit operation always in search of their big break, ambulance chasers who’ve been in the trenches much too long making way too little. Their specialties, so to speak, are quickie divorces and DUIs, with the occasional jackpot of an actual car wreck thrown in. After twenty plus years together, Oscar Finley and Wally Figg bicker like an old married couple but somehow continue to scratch out a half-decent living from their seedy bungalow offices in southwest Chicago.

And then change comes their way. More accurately, it stumbles in. David Zinc, a young but already burned-out attorney, walks away from his fast-track career at a fancy downtown firm, goes on a serious bender, and finds himself literally at the doorstep of our boutique firm. Once David sobers up and comes to grips with the fact that he’s suddenly unemployed, any job—even one with Finley & Figg—looks okay to him.

With their new associate on board, F&F is ready to tackle a really big case, a case that could make the partners rich without requiring them to actually practice much law. An extremely popular drug, Krayoxx, the number one cholesterol reducer for the dangerously overweight, produced by Varrick Labs, a giant pharmaceutical company with annual sales of $25 billion, has recently come under fire after several patients taking it have suffered heart attacks. Wally smells money.

A little online research confirms Wally’s suspicions—a huge plaintiffs’ firm in Florida is putting together a class action suit against Varrick. All Finley & Figg has to do is find a handful of people who have had heart attacks while taking Krayoxx, convince them to become clients, join the class action, and ride along to fame and fortune. With any luck, they won’t even have to enter a courtroom!

It almost seems too good to be true.

And it is.

The Litigators is a tremendously entertaining romp, filled with the kind of courtroom strategies, theatrics, and suspense that have made John Grisham America’s favorite storyteller.

My Review

Talk about refreshing. Boy it’s nice to read a book from one of your favorite authors. John Grisham is a master at legal thrillers and this one didn’t disappoint. From the first page, I was hooked. I laughed and often while reading this story. I’ll have to go back and read again for some great quotes.

Unlike some of Grisham’s other novels, this one was light hearted but still maintained that epic educational experience of law being practiced that most of his stories have.

This story may have seemed a little predictable, but Grisham knows how to add and mingle side stories and twist to keep you guessing. I look forward to my annual dose of Grisham each year and I’m thoroughly happy to have read this one. (or listened to as the case was. For those who like audio books, I really enjoyed the narrator.) This was no exception.

Wally had to be my favorite character. He was a train wreck with big dreams and high hopes. You just had to love his jump in attitude and his never thinking before he speaks demeanor. His comic relief was exceptional with all the crazy things he said or did.

Up next is David. How can you not love him? His entrance into the story is one I think many of us can relate to on numerous levels. Clueless, he stumbles into a mess but never once gives up. His courage and loyalty are admirable.

Oscar, well, he’s Oscar. And you have to read to understand what I mean about it.

This is not a romance novel ladies, so don’t expect that. It was heart warming nonetheless and had a happily ever after if you can call it that. Basically, by the end all loose ends are tied and you are left satisfied with no questions. What more can you ask for?

Do I recommend, totally YES! And to everyone. There is nothing really totally inappropriate in this story.

If I had to pick a book boyfriend, it would be David. There are plenty of reasons, but if you read the story you will understand why.





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Indie Spotlight - Rapture by Renee Field

Rapture by Renee Field

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This is an adult paranormal novel.

Book Summary

Mermen aren't real. That's what biologist Jamie Winters thinks until a gorgeous Greek god enters her life and drowns her, forcing her to rapture into a Siren. Used to logic, she can't quite come to terms with Seth Cutter's magical undersea realm or the fact that he's a macho Titan.

Being a Siren causes Jamie's hormones to go into overdrive, which isn't good when she realizes that's exactly what Seth was hoping for. Sure, the sex is out of this world, but she's not about to change her character.

As Prince of the North Seas, Seth is used to having his commands followed. A decade of exile on land was easier than having to deal with the sexy-as-sin Siren who tips the scales of his existence and doesn't listen to one word he says.

They must overcome their prejudices to recover stolen relics that are key to the undersea kingdom, stop a deadly plague and destroy an underwater diva who wants to rule the roost. Are they two souls destined for each other or will the Fates decide otherwise? Seth knows firsthand, Fate can be a bitch.

My Review

I’ve never read a story about Titans and Sirens. So, most of the story was a real treat. The mythology and the main storyline of the story was really pretty good. What troubled me about the story was the sex. Don’t get me wrong. I’m no prude believe me. But in reading this story, I might have given it a five if not for the sex or reducing the amount of it. I just felt like there were two different stories that were shuffled together. The sex in the beginning of the story felt like a bad B-movie with cheesy lines. The sex in the middle of the story made sense and fit right. The sex towards the end of the book was overwhelming and could have really used some editing. The sex at the end of the book was ok. I guess another big problem for me is the love at first sight. While I believe in lust at first sight I have a real problem with the other.

****Spoiler*******
I found it hard to believe that Jamie who had been a virgin for over twenty years of life all of a sudden decides to give it up to a virtual stranger. Somehow, she being so beautiful, as Seth would call her, would have never come across a man she found attractive enough to given into her burning desire. I just didn’t buy it. Especially giving it up to a man who kidnapped her like only a day before???

Ignoring that and a few other pot holes, the story was very interesting. And Seth was surely swoony worthy. So would I recommend. Yes, I think that my issues were personal and not the fault of the writer or her style. The ending was very interesting and I have to wonder if there will be a sequel. Will I read, yes! I was torn over the rating. I think I settled at 3.5. I’ve rounded up.

My Book Boyfriend. The Twins. Considering they get naked before they get in the water, this is what I picture for both of them.




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