What If by Rebecca Donovan

What If by Rebecca Donovan

 

This is a New Adult contemporary romance novel (Rated R)

 

 

 

 

Book Summary

 

A new novel by the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Breathing Series . . .

What if you had a second chance to meet someone for the first time?

Cal Logan is shocked to see Nicole Bentley sitting across from him at a coffee shop thousands of miles from their hometown. After all, no one has seen or heard from her since they graduated over a year ago.

Except this girl isn't Nicole.

She looks exactly like Cal's shy childhood crush, but her name is Nyelle Preston and she has no idea who he is. This girl is impulsive and daring, her passion for life infectious. The complete opposite of Nicole. Cal finds himself utterly fascinated-and falling hard. But Nyelle is also extremely secretive. And the closer he comes to finding out what she's hiding, the less he wants to know.

When the secrets from the past and present collide, one thing becomes clear: Nothing is what it seems.

 

 

 

My Review

 

This novel is like a budding flower. With each layer exposed, we see the beauty and fragility of life as the story unfolds itself with each turn of the page. A garden full of words blooms right in front of our eyes as four friends with different perspectives tell a story of friendship, life, love and loss.

It is in each telling that we are drawn into the lives of these characters who thank god are all flushed out. You will feel like you are another one of their gang involved from the very beginning knowing what drove and drives them forward. For like us, they all have secrets and dreams alike and we get the privileged uncover those parts of them.

I’ll admit I made my predictions as the tale was told. And I’ll admit I was right, wrong, wrong, right, wrong in no specific order. I will also admit, the need to know what happened drove me to read straight through the night. Many hours after starting, I finished at the ripe time of two thirty a.m. Saturday morning after receiving the book on a Friday.

Although at times this can me an emotional read, there are equally if not more moments in the book that make you smile or want to celebrate life, so don’t let that hold you back. This story will keep you guessing to the end what is and what if.

One other key thing for some of you readers to note, is that this book is a standalone. Could there be more? Maybe. One always hopes for more with compelling characters. But this book wraps up the story and I don’t think a sequel is planned. Thus, no need to wait to read this one.

I like the rest of you will, fell hard for Cal. He’s just my kind of guy.

Overall, if you loved the Breathing series by this author, I’m sure you will love this one. If you’ve never read a book by this author, this book is a fine place to start. You can’t go wrong with either.

My book boyfriend Cal.

First I'm giving you this teaser I posted earlier. I couldn't say anything before. But after you read you will see how this scene reminds me of something from the book. And below, my promised pics of Cal.

 

AND NOW FOR CAL and someone else...

 

 

 

 

PREORDER LINKS BELOW

 

AMAZON UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/What-If-Rebecca-Donovan-ebook/dp/B00KZ70A1C/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1410287881&sr=8-2&keywords=what+if

BARNES & NOBLE: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/what-if-rebecca-donovan/1119703883?ean=9781455533091

GOOGLE PLAY: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Rebecca_Donovan_What_If?id=-YrEAwAAQBAJ

BAM: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/What-If/Donovan-Rebecca/Q659678049?id=6024946914736

iBOOKS (if you're an Apple user): https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/what-if/id887494102?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Hunter's Trail (Scarlett Bernard #3) by Melissa F. Olson

Hunter's Trail (Scarlett Bernard #3) by Melissa F. Olson

 

This is an adult urban fantasy novel (Rated PG-13)

 

 ♥♥♥♥

 (Four Null Hearts)
 

 

Book Summary

 

Actions have consequences—a lesson Scarlett Bernard is learning the hard way. As a “null,” Scarlett has always been able to negate the powers of the supernatural beings that surround her. But now her reckless decision to permanently change Eli from a werewolf to a human has left the Los Angeles werewolf pack in shambles, and upset the balance of power among the city’s supernatural factions. To make matters worse, Scarlett’s employers discover that a newly changed werewolf is running amok in the city. To catch the rogue werewolf, Scarlett will need help from both Eli and Detective Jesse Cruz of the LAPD…a situation that will force her to finally choose between them.

However, Scarlett and her friends aren’t the only ones on the hunt—someone else is chasing the wolf. Someone with no reservations about collateral damage. Now Scarlett and her allies must stop both the rogue wolf and the deadly hunter before the full moon rises and all hell breaks loose.

Filled with the same suspense and wit readers loved in Dead Spots and Trail of Dead, this may be Scarlett Bernard’s most harrowing adventure yet…

  

 

My Review

  

This book certainly held my attention, but I can’t say I was blown away by it either. Maybe it was because I was annoyed that Eli was in the story very little. That’s urban fantasy for you. Romance isn’t the key to the story only a side plot.

However, Jesse just really got on my nerves and I was tired of hearing about how beautiful he was throughout the story. I’m sure I’m in the minority, but I just didn’t feel he was the right guy for Scarlett even though I liked him well enough. The two of them together reminded me also of the Elemental Assassin series by Jennifer Estep in the beginning with Gin’s first cop boyfriend. The cop boyfriends want to like the girl but can’t ever get passed who or what they are or do. Anyway, I think Scarlett swooning over Jesse the majority of the book just got to me.

In the end, I did predict several things, but thankfully I was pleasantly surprised to be wrong about some. I don’t always like to be right. And I thought certain twist would happen in the end that didn’t.

All in all, it was a good read and made even better in the end.

Audio Review

Amy McFadden did a decent job with narration and accents. My only thing was she didn’t have enough differences in her voice for the wide cast, that when some characters were speaking, I wasn’t sure who was until the dialogue tag.

My book boyfriend Eli.

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*Disclaimer - I am not the owner of this picture. I found it on the web for causal fun use on my blog for which I receive no compensation. If this picture belongs to you (you are the copyright owner) please let me know and I will remove it.

Tuesday Teaser ~ What If by Rebecca Donovan

 

Book Blurb...

 

A new novel by the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Breathing Series . . .

What if you had a second chance to meet someone for the first time?

Cal Logan is shocked to see Nicole Bentley sitting across from him at a coffee shop thousands of miles from their hometown. After all, no one has seen or heard from her since they graduated over a year ago.

Except this girl isn't Nicole.

She looks exactly like Cal's shy childhood crush, but her name is Nyelle Preston and she has no idea who he is. This girl is impulsive and daring, her passion for life infectious. The complete opposite of Nicole. Cal finds himself utterly fascinated-and falling hard. But Nyelle is also extremely secretive. And the closer he comes to finding out what she's hiding, the less he wants to know.

When the secrets from the past and present collide, one thing becomes clear: Nothing is what it seems.

 

 

RELEASES SEPTEMBER 16TH.

Next week *squeals*

 

 

Night Unbound (Immortal Guardians #5) by Dianne Duvall

Night Unbound (Immortal Guardians #5) by Dianne Duvall

 

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

 

♥♥♥♥♥

(Five Fantastic Hearts)

 

 

Book Summary

 

 

"Duvall is a major player." --RT Book Reviews

 

Dianne Duvall's Immortal Guardians protect humanity from unspeakable horrors--but their hearts are as fragile as any mortal's. . .

For centuries, Lisette d'Alençon has been a warrior against the dark. She fights alongside her brothers and comrades. But when the dreams start coming, she can't bear to confess them to the Immortal Guardians' command. Dreams of a dark-haired man with soft eyes and brutal wounds, a man her heart aches for--and a man she knows has been declared a traitor.

Zach is an exile, a loner. He won't defend himself against false accusations or grovel to those who should have faith in him. But he'll damn sure defend the woman who kept him sane against a plague of super-vamps that seems to have appeared from nowhere. The Guardians will blame him, and that will make Lisette suspect, too. With life, death and eternity on the line, who can they really trust?

 

 

My Review

 

I love this series. Every book has been great, awesome even, masterfully told.

And yes, I think this book is better than the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Although BDB is set in a sexy world with sexy guys, the plots of some stories fell flat or annoyed at times.

This series has never disappointed me not once.

It has build up and mystery, yet gives us enough information we aren’t pissed in the waiting. It has hot and steamy well developed romances. People fall in love. And it makes sense. We still get our favorite characters couples from previous books in each book going further. They aren’t the center but they are there and part of the story.

And the world building. Each story we get a bit more insight in this world an the secrets that created it or are layered in.

This installment had me laughing out loud a few times to the point of tears.

The only thing I don’t like is waiting another half or whole year for the next book. But have no fear, there isn’t’ a real cliffy. So you can read.

Audio Review

Kristen Potter continues to do bang up job.

My Book Boyfriend Zach.

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*Disclaimer - I am not the owner of this picture. I found it on the web for causal fun use on my blog for which I receive no compensation. If this picture belongs to you (you are the copyright owner) please let me know and I will remove it.

Outlander (Outlander #1) by Diana Gabaldon

Outlander (Outlander #1) by Diana Gabaldon

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

 ♥♥♥♥♥
(Five Jamie Hearts)

Book Summary

The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon--when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach--an "outlander"--in a Scotland torn by war and raiding Highland clans in the year of Our Lord...1743.

Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire is catapulted into intrigues and dangers that may threaten her life...and shatter her heart. For here she meets James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, and becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire...and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

My Review

I hate this book.

So why 5 hearts?

First it struck a lot of emotions from me, good and bad…

But I think it comes down to book withdrawal after. And to be fair, it’s more what happens next book that bothers me and not what happened in this book. So I can’t really rate this book based on future books, right?

Plus, I think Jamie tops my all time book boyfriend list. My previous tops were first Barrons (Karen Marie Moning Fever Series – Adult Paranormal) and then Christian Grey (Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James). Now Jamie. Say what you want but these are the three book guys I’ve obsessed over.

As much as I hate this book, Jamie is everything a book and a real man should be. He did a few things that I didn’t like but all where explainable. He doesn’t do things without thought. He doesn't have to be a bastard in the name of protecting her (well maybe that one time, lol). He’s kind, generous, giving, innocent, a hero, a warrior, loyal, honest, and everything….

But there was a big plot hole in this book that I should deduct hearts for.

WARNING SPOILERS WARNING SPOILERS --> NEXT

Jamie got on Clare so many times for not following his instructions. He said it wasn’t because she was stupid or couldn’t think of her own mind, but that he knew things she didn’t. And each time she defied him, he called her out on it.

Yet, he tells her (ask her to promise) not to see Geilis. And she does, for noble reason I must say. So afterwards, this is the one time he doesn’t ask her why she went. REALLY! She broke a promise and he doesn't call her on it. And he calls her out for everything else but not this where she almost dies AGAIN. And he had to save her AGAIN. And there is enough time for her to tell him and no good reason not to tell him that Leary betrayed her. Yet she doesn’t and it never comes up.

So when I accidently read part of the blurb for the next book. (20 years later, she returns to Scotland), and that’s all I read. I knew what was going to happen. I asked someone I know read and she confirmed.

And honestly as distasteful as the last part of this story was and it took me a while to build the courage to read/listen to that part, I find I can’t stomach what is to come next.

Obviously the author left out this Leary betrayal confession because Jamie would never do what he’s about to do if he’d known of Leary’s betrayal. That is the kind of guy he is. And I kept yelling at the book after Clare was saved from whipping and drowning, tell him about Leary. So this really took me out of the story and enjoyment.

Yet, I can’t get Jamie out of my mind.

END OF SPOILERS

So even though a major plot hole should have me giving this book 4 for 4.5 hearts, I find myself giving it 5 hearts for Jamie.

Overall, the beginning was slow. There is a lot of world building and maybe a lot of unnecessary details but I found that once Jamie was really involved I didn’t mind that the story dragged. It gave me more time with him. And don’t we want that when we fall for a fictional character? And oh what time we got to know all facets of Jamie, good and dare I say a little bad. And there were plenty of times for a few tears as well, especially towards the end.

I’m not sure I can continue this series. I will watch the show for sure though. They picked a winner for casting Jamie. Is that a first or what in the lasted book to small or large screen adaptations?

ANYWAY…

Audio Review

Davina Porter did an excellent job with accents and such. She didn’t have a lot of changes between characters except the main ones. But there is an extremely large cast, so I’ll give her a pass.

MY BOOK HUSBAND ~ James (Jamie) Fraser ( and when I think of him, I can't get the song below the picture out of my head.)

AND YEAH, I SAW THE SHOW BEFORE I READ SO HE'S THE GUY IN MY HEAD

AND HERE IS THE DAMN SONG I CAN'T GET OUT OF MY HEAD

ODE TO JAMIE

MacRieve (Immortals After Dark #13) by Kresley Cole

MacRieve (Immortals After Dark #13) by Kresley Cole

 

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

 

 ♥♥♥♥
(Four MacRieve Hearts)

 

Book Summary

 

In this pulse-pounding Immortals After Dark tale, #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole delves into the darkest mysteries and deepest passions of Clan MacRieve. . .

A Beast In Torment

Uilleam MacRieve believed he’d laid to rest the ghosts of his boyhood. But when a brutal torture revives those ancient agonies and destroys his Lykae instinct, the proud Scot craves the oblivion of death. Until he finds her—a young human so full of spirit and courage that she pulls him back from the brink.

A Beauty In Chains

Seized for the auction block, Chloe Todd is forced to enter a terrifying new world of monsters and lore as a bound slave. When offered up to creatures of the dark, she fears she won’t last the night. Until she’s claimed by him—a tormented immortal with heartbreaking eyes, whose touch sets her blood on fire.

A Full Moon On The Rise

With enemies circling, MacRieve spirits Chloe away to the isolated Highland keep of his youth. But once he takes her to his bed, his sensual mate becomes something more than human, evoking his savage past and testing his sanity. On the cusp of the full moon, can he conquer his worst nightmare to save Chloe . . . from himself?

 

 

My Review

The story was okay. I think Will MacRieve despite his past was a little of the top. He was too much of an asshole considering everything. If I’d been her, I wouldn’t have ever forgiven him.

I like my guys broken and Will was definitely broken, but he put me off. The story felt like a repeat of Lotharie’s story in ways. And something was just missing.

Maybe it’s time for this series to end. It just feels like a hash of previous stories with each character. It’s missing the magic when the valkerye were at the center of the story arc/plot.

Audio Review

Robert Petkoff continues to do a bang up job. I love his narration.

My reluctant book boyfriend is Will MacRieve.

 

 

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*Disclaimer - I am not the owner of this picture. I found it on the web for causal fun use on my blog for which I receive no compensation. If this picture belongs to you (you are the copyright owner) please let me know and I will remove it.

Lothaire (Immortals After Dark #12) by Kresley Cole

Lothaire (Immortals After Dark #12) by Kresley Cole

 

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

 

 ♥♥♥♥
(Four Vamp Hearts)

 

 

Book Summary

 

In this thrilling tale of the Immortals After Dark, #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole reveals secrets of the Lore, fierce realm of the immortals.

All Fear The Enemy Of Old

Driven by his insatiable need for revenge, Lothaire, the Lore’s most ruthless vampire, plots to seize the Horde’s crown. But bloodlust and torture have left him on the brink of madness—until he finds Elizabeth Peirce, the key to his victory. He captures the unique young mortal, intending to offer up her very soul in exchange for power, yet Elizabeth soothes his tormented mind and awakens within him emotions Lothaire believed he could no longer experience.

A Deadly Force Dwells Within Her

Growing up in desperate poverty, Ellie Peirce yearned for a better life, never imagining she’d be convicted of murder—or that an evil immortal would abduct her from death row. But Lothaire is no savior, as he himself plans to sacrifice Ellie in one month’s time. And yet the vampire seems to ache for her touch, showering her with wealth and sexual pleasure. In a bid to save her soul, Ellie surrenders her body to the wicked vampire, while vowing to protect her heart.

Centuries Of Cold Indifference Shattered

Elizabeth tempts Lothaire beyond reason, as only his fated mate could. As the month draws to a close, he must choose between a millennia-old blood vendetta and his irresistible prisoner. Will Lothaire succumb to the miseries of his past . . . or risk everything for a future with her?

 

 

My Review

This book started out kind of interesting. I was curious how the story would resolve itself. But the last part of the story felt fillerish. It's like it didn't totally have to happen. Then again maybe it did.

When the author took her YA series second book into erotica area, I was oddly taken back that the sex in this story was more foreplay. When they were finally able to have sex, it was glossed over. And we got one sex scene overall. All those other teasers before I was looking for one last her rah. Then it's like we're together - the end.

Lothaire is a pretty epic character and this book didn’t do him justice.

My book boyfriend Lothaire.

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*Disclaimer - I am not the owner of this picture. I found it on the web for causal fun use on my blog for which I receive no compensation. If this picture belongs to you (you are the copyright owner) please let me know and I will remove it.