Out of Breath (Breathing #3) by Rebecca Donovan

 

Out of Breath  (Breathing #3) by Rebecca Donovan

 

This is a NEW Adult romance novel (Rated NC-17)

 

 ♥♥♥1/2

(Three Evan Hearts)

 

 

Book Summary

 

Emma leaves Weslyn and everyone in it behind to attend Stanford University, just as she always intended. A shell of her former self, she is not the same girl. She is broken, and the only way that she’ll be whole again is through forgiveness. Emma must find a way to forgive herself and recognize her own worth before she can receive the love she deserves. This final installment will have readers holding their breath until the very last page.

 

 

My Review

 

Okay, I knew going in, with Emma at college there were going to be some changes to scenery, characters etc. But that doesn’t mean I had to like it. And I didn’t. Still, I must say this author pulled out all my emotions once again. I have to give her props for that. However, know that with a series that made me feels so much, in turn, I'll have much to say.

SPOILERS

I missed Evan for most of the first half of the book. And I swear to you, I was wishing for Evan’s POV since he wasn’t with us. And was happy to find it but wish it came earlier. I guess the author had her reasons for waiting until almost the half of the book before he’s brought in, but still. I would have loved his POV earlier because honestly, the truths we got about what happened to him were so flimsy, I’m still not certain as too what all happened between Evan and Annalise. (sex?)

Sorry, I listened to this. Not sure of the spelling of names.

Anyway, the first half of the book was boring to me. And not because it didn’t have entertainment value. But the author has to anticipate that without Sara and Evan, the readers would be bored. She tried to draw me in and make me love Cole. And I swear, I almost did. But when he couldn’t deal with Emma’s freak out, I knew he wasn’t the one.

And was anyone else pissed that she was so free to have rabbit sex with Cole, yet Evan she couldn’t. Yes, I got it. All she had with Cole was sex. And it was meaningless for her and all it was to her was to make her feel and not feel. I got it. But damn it, she and Evan loved each other. And yes, sex complicates things. But who better to complicate it with than someone you love. Don’t preach to me. I know they didn’t want to hurt each other. But they were already hurting.

And the biggest pisser is that the Epilogue, which was a really a chapter in the book. Epilogue means that the author knows that the readers have patiently gone through the story to a poetic ending. And I got that too. She wanted an artistic ending. Yeah well, don’t piss on your fans and readers. They won’t follow you into another journey if they can’t trust you. And honestly, back on topic, an epilogue is a bonus. It’s an insight into the lead character(s) future that gives hope or a view on how things were. In romance, it’s using a HEA. Like let me see if they got married, going to get married, have kids or not. Where are they working or still going to school? We deserved that, yet that’s not what we got.

Sorry, I just wasn’t interested in her cousins. That wasn’t an insight into anything. I felt cheated. I went through this whole adventure with tears, rage, and everything in between and that’s what I got. I’m pissed the hell off and want a refund. I can’t recommend this series to anyone.

END OF SPOILERS

Audio Review

Kate Rudd continued to do a fabulous job of making me feel the story.

Overall, I’m unsure. My hope is the author comes back with another book. Even if it’s with another character so we can get the Epilogue we deserve. Learn from the author of Captive in the Dark. I loved her Epilogue and needed it for closure. Please, give us what we need.

My book boyfriend is Evan, but I’m giving you Cole.
 

 

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Barely Breathing (Breathing #2) by Rebecca Donovan

 

Barely Breathing  (Breathing #2) by Rebecca Donovan

 

This is a young adult contemporary romance novel (Rated R)

 

 ♥♥1/2

(Two and a Half Emotional Hearts)

 

 

Book Summary

 

Emma’s struggle with an abusive home life came to a heart pounding conclusion in the final chapters of Reason to Breathe. Now everyone in Weslyn knows Emma’s secret, but Carol can’t hurt Emma anymore. Some are still haunted by the horror of that night, and some must face the repercussions of their choices. Fans of Rebecca Donovan’s debut novel will discover there’s still much to learn about Emma’s life.

 

 

My Review

Wow, this book was very disappointing. I struggled with why the author went the route of cliché plotlines in books done before. There was really nothing unique about this storyline or told in a unique way. And that’s about all I can say before spoilers. So if you haven’t read, skip to the end of the spoiler to read overall opinion.

SPOILERS

There is just no way around it in order to explain.

First let me say YAY Drew. I really like him in the last book even with the drunken fight I couldn’t mention in my previous book review. I still didn’t understand after the fight, how the author didn’t even mention what happened in school that Monday. Evan would have been livid. And I don’t see Drew not saying anything. What the hell? Anyway, all that is explained now. But too late in my opinion.

One of my major beefs with this book is NEW GIRL. Really???? I mean we already had a NEW BOY in the first book, Evan. And if you think about it, there was no real reason this “conflict” couldn’t be a girl already at the school. It’s a tired storyline beaten to death by many authors before. And I get why Evan had to be a NEW BOY. No one else would have broken through to Emma already having preconceived notions about her. It took someone new to be the one she’d let in. But this NEW GIRL wasn’t necessary. Didn’t someone advice this author????

Another gripe, this author beats to death in this story. INTERUPTIONS. At every turn, there is an interruption as a means to further the plotline, create conflict, or hide truths. And it got old pretty fast.

First interruption. The sex thing. Emma had decided this is what she wanted. Hell, this isn’t my story. So I’m going with the facts laid out before me. They are interrupted once and sex isn’t thought of for weeks. Yet, Emma had been determined and talked to Sara about it. She told Evan and came onto to him hard. They spent much time alone after that one interruption, but nothing. Again, it doesn’t matter to me. The author shouldn’t have said Emma was so determined to do this. It wasn’t necessary. But since she did, she couldn’t avoid this storyline until it was convenient.

And when was it convenient, they choose not to go to his hotel where he could kick out his brother. But hers. So of course I knew it was a no go once he said hers. It was too damn obvious. And someone was there of course. Did they leave and find another place? NO. The way Emma and Evan wanted this, they could have done it. These interruptions made the story unbelievable. Again, I didn’t write that the characters wanted each other like rabbits. They had time and opportunity, the author choose flimsy interruptions and conveniently placed people when she decided they should act. It was a weak attempt.

Another big complaint was something happens to Evan in class. He leaves abruptly without saying anything to Emma. It is not Evan behavior. Emma is calling him trying to find out what was going on with him. When she finally speaks to him, he says he will tell her. Of course, they are interrupted. And yes folks, after the interruptions, she drops asking him what happened. REALLY? This happens early in the first half of the book. He doesn’t say I don’t want to talk about. I could have understood her leaving the topic alone then because that is how she handled things and couldn’t ask someone different. But he didn’t. He says will talk about it later. LATER is months. REALLY???? We don’t find out until nearly the end of the book the reason. Not believable.

Then there is this time when Jonathan is revealing something to her. And not using words no or yes, the author chose to have him “shake” his head three different times. Normally when an author doesn’t follow up with shakes his head yes or shakes his head no, you assume shake is no, nod is yes. However, on the third shake of Jonathan’s head, it becomes apparent he actually meant yes. So I’m left guess what the hell the other two shakes meant. It pissed me off to no end because he was another trick by the author to not give us information because she again reveals it later.

I could go on, but this review would go on forever. So I won’t. The Jonathan storyline really pissed me off. Emma’s choices with all that stuff just made this book a total downer.

END OF SPOILERS

Audio Review

Kate Rudd continues to do a fabulous job of making me feel the story.

Overall, the author still pulled on my emotional strings. Despite the tired storyline and plot holes, I still had to read this through. That says a lot.

Although I love Evan…

My book boyfriend is Drew.

 

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Reason to Breathe (Breathing #1) by Rebecca Donovan

 

Reason to Breathe  (Breathing #1) by Rebecca Donovan

 

This is a contemporary romance novel (Rated R)

 

♥♥♥♥1/2 

 (Four and a Half Evan Hearts)

 

 

Book Summary

 

"No one tried to get involved with me, and I kept to myself. This was the place where everything was supposed to be safe and easy. How could Evan Mathews unravel my constant universe in just one day?"

In the affluent town of Weslyn, Connecticut, where most people worry about what to be seen in and who to be seen with, Emma Thomas would rather not be seen at all. She’s more concerned with feigning perfection while pulling down her sleeves to conceal the bruises - not wanting anyone to know how far from perfect her life truly is. Without expecting it, she finds love. It challenges her to recognize her own worth - but at the risk of revealing the terrible secret she’s desperate to hide.

Reason to Breathe is an electrifying page turner from start to finish, a unique tale of life-changing love, unspeakable cruelty, and one girl’s fragile grasp of hope.

 

 

My Review

 

This story was brilliant. And although it was brilliant, in some ways I wish I never read it. It was a hard read. Hell, I thought Seduced in the Dark & Captive in the Dark was a hard read. And now, I’m not sure which is worse. Maybe this one.

The female lead pisses me off so much in this story I had a hard time reading it. However, the author does a great job of explaining those choices. I just don’t have to like it. They are teenagers. So I give them a pass. Yet, I still felt way too much.

And isn’t that the brilliance of it. When an author can make you feel so strongly. I wanted to climb in the pages and save someone.

Still this book wasn’t without faults, which why it didn’t get perfect marks. This author has her own time in revealing information. Which isn’t bad unless it creates plot holes. And in this case there was a major one. I’ll try my best to explain without really giving spoilers.

A major beef takes place at a party. One that involves Emma. It’s a big event in the story. Yet, she goes to school after and she doesn’t face or think about one of the players in that event ever again (at least in this book). I’m sorry. Kids at school would be talking. She would have crossed paths with that individual. Yet, the author gives us nothing. Nada. It’s like it never happened. I will say having read the trilogy already, it eventually comes up. But I’m sorry. Major plot hole. It wasn’t like she even said she didn’t want to think about it. It just happened and then nothing. And for that, I cannot give it perfect marks. Still a great book.

Audio Review

Kate Rudd does a fabulous job. She brought to life and stirred feelings inside me that made me feel like I was there. Awesome.

Overall, based on this book alone, I would tell you to read. But continue this review journey with me the next few days and decide if you do.

My book boyfriend Evan.

 

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That First Kiss (Night Calls #2) by J.C. Valentine

That First Kiss  (Night Calls #2) by J.C. Valentine

 

This is a New Adult Contemporary Romance Novel (Rated - NC-17)

 

 ♥♥♥

(Three Generous Hearts)

 

 

Book Summary

 

 Mercurial and charming, Tate Larson is a rising author and playboy who has a different woman on his arm every night of the week. Focused on his work, Tate has no plans to settle down any time soon. That is until he meets his pretty new assistant, Piper Donovan.

Desperate to escape the promise of backwater living, Piper ditched her Alabama hometown and never looked back. That was almost two years ago. Now that she is out of a job and her bank account is running on fumes, she’s desperate to find a job, fast. She finds the break she is searching for when she lands a position at Bookish Temptations. A little dancing and a lot of drinks with the girls seem the perfect way to celebrate. After a brief but explosive encounter with a man she was never supposed to see again turns out to be the same man she will be bending over backwards to please, her every instinct tells her to run. But when running means leaving the life she has struggled so hard to create, Piper decides her only option is to continue working for the devastatingly sexy Tate Larson...even if it kills her.

Unable to deny their growing attraction, they struggle to keep their distance in a relationship that requires anything but.

*This book is intended for mature audiences.*

My Review

You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and here you have this book.

First let me say that this book kept my interest throughout because it was like watching a train wreck and unfortunately not always in a good way.

The book was first and foremost far too predictable. I had super high hopes that Tate wouldn’t be her boss, but then he was. My other problem with the book is believability.

SPOILERS (if you don’t want them, don’t read this section. Look for end of spoilers for overview.)

Okay, so the one night stand is her boss. But what really bothered me was that Tate was an author that had an office in the publishing company. As far as I know, publishing companies do not have authors with offices that work in the building. Huh? Weird. Furthermore, we don’t get a sense of what he’s writing or if he’s famous until it’s added like an afterthought.

Second, Piper is supposedly attractive. Yet, only one other person ever hits on her. And she doesn’t give him a chance because of her boss. And she claims she doesn’t want to date her boss. Yet, she goes with him to clubs as his assistant (really???) and watches him with other girls. One guy gives her attention and Tate gets jealous and she turns down this guy’s phone number???

Consistency with character development is another issue. The book begins with Piper at a club and she talks about how other people sit at home and not go out, but she and her friends party. Then later in the book, she says she doesn’t go out, she likes to hang at home. People can have a change of heart, but it needs to be explained and not like the author forgot the character she created. And this isn’t the only time it happens in the book, but I won’t bore you with all the deets. But basically there is this constant saying a character is like something then changing opposite for no reason.

Back to believability. Piper is hired by Felix. Then she is told that she has to organize an author event out of town and that the big boss recommended her because she has experience. But based on everything we know she doesn’t have experience, nor has she met this boss. So why would he put her in charge of it or recommend her. It’s not on her resume.

She leaves her home and breaks the lease in one day. I’ve forgotten what actually occurred, other than this bothered me because it just wouldn’t happen in one day. It’s not like they were going to refund her a partial month. So why did she leave other than the author’s convenience of getting her out the house for Tate not to find her. She didn’t need to leave before her broken lease ended. She didn’t have to move that very night over to a friend’s house.

END OF SPOILERS

Overall, there is a story here. It’s a bit too much like the premise of Bared to You and another book for my taste, but I think with a good editor or strong beta reader this book could be ten times better.

My book boyfriend is Tate.

 

 

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The Earth Dwellers (The Dwellers #4) by David Estes

 

The Earth Dwellers (The Dwellers #4) by David Estes

 

This is a young adult dystopian novel (Rated PG-1)

 

 ♥♥♥♥1/2
(Four and a half War filled Hearts)
 

 

Book Summary

 

The Earth Dwellers is the 4th book in BOTH The Dwellers Saga and The Country Saga. The author recommends that BOTH series are read in their entirety before reading this book (The Moon Dwellers, The Star Dwellers, The Sun Dwellers, Fire Country, Ice Country, Water & Storm Country).

Your favorite Dwellers and Country Saga characters come together in this epic seventh book!

As President Borg Lecter threatens to annihilate the Country tribes in order to expand his glass-domed empire, Adele ventures into the belly of the beast. Her only hope of survival is the consolidation of Dwellers and Country power before it’s too late.

Former demagogue President Nailin is eliminated, yet civil unrest infects every alliance. To save Adele, President Tristan faces his greatest challenge yet: unifying unfriendly Dwellers in the Tri-Realms to raise an army against Lecter. Meanwhile, Dazz must convince the Ice Country leaders to march with Siena and the Tri-Tribes on the gates of the Glass City.

The world sits on the edge of a knife. Will Adele, Tristan, Dazz, and Siena defeat Lecter and his army of killers before the Glassies wipe them off the face of the Earth?

 

 

My Review
 

It’s so hard to say goodbye. I will miss these characters. I’d like to ask the author to consider coming back and writing a sequel about where things stand 5 years from the ending. So much could happen. Okay, I know he’s not going to listen to me. But this has been a great ride.

One of the more remarkable things is that David has brought two incredible series together for this conclusion. There is action and emotion. Sad things happen and good things too.

My only thought was I wish that a couple of the other characters from the Country series side of things would have had more face time. I just feel like they were lost. But we got the main ones and that was the important thing.

It’s really hard to say more without spoilers. I will say this is a must read. If you like YA dystopian, pick this one up.

I look forward to reading more amazing books from this author. His imagination is a bright thing and no doubt his next series will be a hit as well.

My book boyfriend Tristan.

 

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Seduce (Beautiful Rose 0.5) by Missy Johnson

Seduce  (Beautiful Rose 0.5) by Missy Johnson

 

This is an adult contemporary romance novel (Rated NC-17)

 

 

 ♥♥♥1/2
(Three in a half really close to 4 Hearts)

 

Book Summary

 

Twenty-five year old Jack Falcon doesn’t do relationships, and why would he when he has woman after woman literally throwing themselves at him? For Jack, life is perfect just the way it is. He works hard and he plays harder.

Jack’s life changes when he meets Belle. Unlike any woman he’s ever met, there is something about this girl that makes him unable to keep away, something beyond the youthful beauty and her innocent spirit. Belle is strong and independent, a big leap from the usual brainless chicks he tends to attract.

Jack begins a dangerous game. He is determined to seduce Belle, and without realizing it, his feelings for her develop beyond anything he has ever felt before. Things become complicated when he learns there are good reasons as to why he should stay the hell away from her.

How can you stay away from someone you want to spend every waking minute with? And what do you do when you know eventually you will destroy that person?

As their feelings for each other deepen, Jack struggles with his own internal demons which threaten to rip them apart. Jack is torn between following his heart and listening to his head, which keeps telling him he is not good enough for her. She deserves better than what he can give her.

How far will he push before they both fall over the edge?

“Really, I’m not as bad as my reputation makes me out to be. In fact, I’d go as far to describe myself as a decent guy. I just have no interest in a relationship that extends beyond a quick fuck when it suits me. I really don’t see how it’s my fault or problem if a chick falls for my boyish charms. Every woman seems to think she can change me, that she somehow has something all the other notches on my belt didn’t have.”

 

 

My Review
 

I read a lot. By a lot I mean, I read nearly 300 books last year. This year so far I’ve read about 150. That being said, I’ve seen it all. It’s hard for a book to be totally unique for me. What I look for and hope for in a read is that the author’s stories are at least told in a new and refreshing way.

I found that this author did that. She told a story that many wouldn’t but we know happens. I was shocked she went there. And the way things happened once certain things are revealed is also very believable.

On the other hand, there were some things that happened that were very predictable. Like you knew because of A, B and C were bound to happen and they did. However, the author did really shock me at one point. I won't say more due to big spoilers.

I so look forward to reading the next book in this series and see where the author takes me.

My book boyfriend is Jack. (minus the surf board, lol)

 

 

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Vision of Shadows by Vincent Morrone ~ Excerpt and Cover Reveal

Vision of Shadows by Vincent Morrone

Blurb:

Is Bristol Blackburn about to meet the love of her life...or her killer? 

After the death of her parents, Bristol Blackburn's life is thrown into chaos and she's forced to move to Spirit, a small town where shadows are stirring. As she learns to navigate her new school and figures out how to keep her psychic abilities secret from her family, Bristol comes face to face with the boy who makes a regular appearance in her dreams: the gorgeous, possibly deadly, Payne McKnight. Soon she’ll find out if Payne will be the love of her life, or the end of it — and she has no idea which possibility scares her more.

And that's not even the worst of it. Strange shadows are haunting her dreams, and they're up to something that could put Bristol and the lives of everyone she loves in jeopardy.

 

EXCERPT 

Journal of Bristol Blackburn

Sunday, March 17th

 

     There are times when being psychic really bites and this is one of them. Here it is, three in the morning and all I can think about is the boy who will eventually have his hands on me.

                I have no idea what his name is. We’ve never met, but I feel like we’ve grown up together. I’ve had visions of him since I was six years old. Now, eleven years later, I know we’re getting closer and closer to finally meeting. I think it’s going to happen any day now.

                And the thought scares the hell out of me.

                I know what Dream Boy will look like. In a word: hot. Dark hair that falls loosely over his deep blue eyes. He has an angel’s face and the devil’s grin.

                I know he’s got a bad boy attitude. Half the time, I get flashes of him getting hurt. Sometimes he’s playing the hero. Other times, he’s just being an idiot. Many times, it seems like there’s someone who enjoys hurting him.

                What I don’t know is what he’ll be to me.

                There are times when he seems to love me. Don’t ask me why. But he’ll look at me with nothing but love and contentment in his eyes. Earlier tonight, I had one of those dreams. One where he couldn’t keep his hands off of me. Weird that I know every inch of his body, yet I have no idea what his name is, huh.

                Then there’s the other vision. It was the first one I had of him and the one I have most often. It’s the one I woke from tonight, the feeling of his hands still on my skin.

                In that vision, he doesn’t look at me with love, but hatred. He has his hands wrapped around my neck as he slowly squeezes the life out of me.

                So any day now, I’m about to meet the boy of my dreams—literally. Then I get to see if he’s going to be the love of my life, or the end of it.

                Funny thing is, I’m not sure which idea scares the crap out of me more.

You can add Vision of Shadows to your to-read list on Goodreads:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18108617-vision-of-shadows

  

Information about the book:

Title: Vision of Shadows

Series: Vision series

Author: Vincent Morrone

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance

Lenght: 210 pages

Release Date: December 30, 2013

 

About the Author:

 

Born and raised in Brooklyn NY, Vincent Morrone now resides in Upstate NY with his wife. (Although he can still speak fluent Brooklynese.) His twin daughters remain not only his biggest fans, but usually are the first to read all of his work. Their home is run and operated for the comfort and convenience of their dogs.

Vincent has been writing fiction, poetry and song lyrics for as long as he can remember, most of which involve magical misfits, paranormal prodigies and even on occasion superheroes and their sidekicks.

 As they say in Brooklyn: Yo, you got something to say to Vincent?

Check out http://vincentmorrone.com/ where you can learn about Vincent and leave him a comment.  You can also connect with Vincent on Twitter https://twitter.com/Vince524 and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Morrrone.

You can find and contact Vincent Morrone here:

Website: http://vincentmorrone.com/

 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Morrrone

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Vince524

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7143975.Vincent_Morrone

 

Vincent also participates in a group blog called YA Rush which consist of YA and NA Entranced authors. You can find YA Rush here:

Website: http://yarush.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YArush1

Twitter: https://twitter.com/YArush6

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/yarush6/