Ink Exchange (Wicked Lovely #2) by Melissa Marr

 

Ink Exchange  (Wicked Lovely #2) by Melissa Marr

 

This is a young adult paranormal romance. (Rated R)

 

♥♥♥1/2

(Three and a half Fey Hearts) 

 

 

Book Summary

 

Unbeknownst to mortals, a power struggle is unfolding in a world of shadows and danger. After centuries of stability, the balance among the Faery Courts has altered, and Irial, ruler of the Dark Court, is battling to hold his rebellious and newly vulnerable fey together. If he fails, bloodshed and brutality will follow.

Seventeen-year-old Leslie knows nothing of faeries or their intrigues. When she is attracted to an eerily beautiful tattoo of eyes and wings, all she knows is that she has to have it, convinced it is a tangible symbol of changes she desperately craves for her own life.

The tattoo does bring changes—not the kind Leslie has dreamed of, but sinister, compelling changes that are more than symbolic. Those changes will bind Leslie and Irial together, drawing Leslie deeper and deeper into the faery world, unable to resist its allures, and helpless to withstand its perils. . . .

 

 

My Review

 

So I missed Ash and Seth in this book. I knew that this was coming. It was part of the reason I waited so long to move on in the series.

I thought Leslie’s story was interesting. But then it took a dark predictable turn. I hated the way things were inferred and left to reader’s interpretation. Let me tell you, I read a book so that someone can tell me a story. If I want to make up my own story, I’ll write my own book. Blah, Blah, Blah. Some author’s annoy me with this logic. Stop being ambiguous. The target readers for this series are old enough to understand sex. You don’t have to be specific or explicit, but you can say whether it happened or not.

Anyway, the story really drags towards the end. There is a reason for the haze I guess, but the way she writes, makes it read slow and clumsy. I felt bored with it. Or maybe it was the narrator who voice suited a somber mood that caused me to feel that way.

But my biggest problem was with the end. I was left wondering what the purpose of this book was. It could have been a standalone. Nothing really happened with Leslie to further the series. Yes, we learned more about Niall and the other dark fey guy, but that story could have been told in novella form. I felt cheated.

Will I continue this series? I’m not sure. I read some spoilers and know what’s to come. Thus I’m not sure. Maybe.

Audio Review

Nick Landrum did a good job narration. He did a decent job with the female voices as well.

 

My book boyfriend Niall.

 

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Dear Rockstar by Emme Rollins

Dear Rockstar by Emme Rollins

 

This is a New Adult romance novel (Rated R)

 

 ♥♥♥1/2

(Three and a half Rockin' Hearts)

 

 

Book Summary

 

Sara is obsessed with rock star Tyler Vincent, and as she works to complete her senior year, she’s determined to find a way to meet him—although her best friend, Aimee, keeps telling her to find a different escape from her desperately violent home life.

Complications arise when Dale, the mysterious new transfer student, sets his sights on Sara, and she falls for this rock-star-in-the-making in spite of her better judgment. When Sara wins a contest, she is faced with a choice—travel to Tyler Vincent’s home town to meet him, or stay and support Dale in a Battle-of-the-Bands hosted by MTV.

Their triangulated relationship is pushed to its breaking point, but there is another, deeper secret that Dale’s been keeping that just may break things wide open...

Turn up your collar, feather your hair, and splash on some Polo, because we’re going back to the ‘80’s when MTV played music videos, there was no such thing as American Idol, and becoming a star meant doing nothing short of crazy for that one, big break.

 

 

My Review

Well, I asked for it. And I got it in exchange for an honest review. So here it is.

Honestly, this story had massive potential. There was an edginess to the story with the character who are originally set in a high school for kids who should have graduated but didn’t.

The story is also set in the 80s. I felt that some of the potential from the story being “historical” and I use that term loosely because one thinks of centuries back when that term is used. But considering the 80s began over 30 years ago, I think the term still applies, at least technically. That said, I felt like other than the dress and references to pop culture, the period wasn’t really all that important to the story. This story could have been set in the present and still worked out. Yes, the technology aspect. But the main girl is poor and still may not have access to it. Even still, I think it was a waste when the time period wasn’t used to its full advantage.

My second problem with this story is that the other missed lots of opportunities with the issues she brought into the story, poverty, abuse, bulimia, secrets, and lies. I won’t spoil it by giving more details. Although these subjects are touch with fingertips during the story, they really aren’t dealt with at all until the end. Thus we only get a couple of brush strokes of those important issues.

And honestly, I felt like the answers to certain questions weren’t really clear in the dialogue.

Overall, I wish the author would go back and revise the story. It could be 100 times better than it stands now.

My book boyfriend Dale.

 

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The Care and Feeding of Stray Vampires (Half Moon Hollow #1)

The Care and Feeding of Stray Vampires  (Half Moon Hollow #1)

 

This is a paranormal humorous romance (Rated NC-17)

 

 ♥♥♥♥1/2
(Four and a half Stray Hearts)

 

Book Summary

 

Iris Scanlon, Half-Moon Hollow’s only daytime vampire concierge, knows more about the undead than she’d like. Running all their daylight errands—from letting in the plumber to picking up some chilled O neg—gives her a look at the not-so-glamorous side of vampire life. Her rules are strict; relationships with vamps are strictly business, not friendship—and certainly not anything else. But then she finds her newest client, Cal, poisoned on his kitchen floor, and only Iris can help.

Cal - who would be devastatingly sexy, if Iris allowed herself to think that way - offers Iris a hefty fee for hiding him at her place until he figures out who wants him permanently dead. Even though he’s imperious, unfriendly and doesn't seem to understand the difference between "employee" and "servant," Iris agrees, and finds herself breaking more and more of her own rules to help him - particularly those concerning nudity.

Turns out what her quiet little life needed was some intrigue & romance—in the form of her very own stray vampire.

 

 

My Review
 

Sometimes you want to read something that’s not heavy that needs a box of tissues. And that’s what I get with Molly Harper’s books, light, fun, and funny. You’ll still need a box of tissue. But only because you will laugh so hard, you will cry.

What I love about this series and the Jane Jameson one is that there is humor when it comes to vampires and although not a parody, she makes fun of the night walking creatures in a fan girl way.

Iris is a practical fun loving character who does the right thing even when she doesn’t want to which gets her into trouble. She has a straight approach to life which is refreshing. Cal is are reluctant victim, lol, of Iris. No, I’m kidding, but I bet he felt like one at times in the story. No Cal is an old vampire with lots of history and not interested in a relationship with anyone especially a human.

I just love this author and gulp up everything she writes. Don’t like vampires much? She also has a humor series about werewolves. Gotta love her.

Audio Review

Amanda Ronconi always delivers these books with easy. She knows how to deliver a punch line and give the right amount of snark. I love it.

My book boyfriend Cal.

  

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Poison Princess (The Arcana Chronicles #1) by Kresley Cole

Poison Princess  (The Arcana Chronicles #1) by Kresley Cole

 

This is a young adult dystopian novel (Rated R)

 

♥♥♥♥1/2

(Four and a half Jack Hearts)

 

 

Book Summary

 

Evangeline “Evie” Greene, 16, leads a charmed life until her horrifying hallucinations predict a disaster that decimates her Louisiana hometown. She joins classmate Jack - with his mile-long rap sheet, wicked grin, bad attitude - and 22 other teens, as an ancient prophesy re-enacts the ultimate battle between good and evil. But who is on which side?

 

 

My Review

 

Holy moly guacamole, this book was Good, Great even. Man it’s been a while since I read a really great YA book. So awesome.

Why not 5 hearts? Well, had the story not taken a predictable turn at the end that I saw coming a mile away, it would have been prefect. Add to that, Jack’s reaction at the end, and I was left a little disappointed. But hey, it’s still probably one of the best YA reads for me this year and probably will make my top list for 2013.

This YA book has all the elements I love in a story. Mystery, intrigue, hot well written believable guy, tension, well written plot, believable storyline, detail without going overboard with metaphors and simple genius on the part of the author’s imagination. This one is one I will recommend all over the place.

I love that Evie is a strong character but still has room to grow and learn. I love the relationship between her and Jack is real. And when I say relationship, I’m not talking boyfriend/girlfriend. I’m talking about their interaction with each other. I love that they are both flawed and read like their age group.  They are teenagers that have matured with their circumstance. Just an awesome job by this author.

So if you haven’t read you must. MUST, MUST, MUST.

Audio Review

Emma Galvin and Keith Nobbs did a good job narrating. However, I would have preferred if They’d done the female and male parts respectively. It was hard to keep up when the characters voices changed because the other was narrating. Still it was a good listen.

 My book boyfriend is Jack. (And he may have knock Dimitri off #1 YA bbf)

 

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Fair Game (Alpha & Omega #3) by Patricia Briggs

Fair Game  (Alpha & Omega #3) by Patricia Briggs

 

This is an adult urban fantasy (Rated R)

 

 ♥♥♥♥♥

(Five Love Filled Hearts)

 

 

Book Summary

 

Patricia Briggs, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Mercy Thompson novels, "always enchants her readers." (Lynn Viehl, New York Times bestselling author) Now her Alpha and Omega series-set in a world of shifting shapes, loyalty, and passion- brings werewolves out of the darkness and into a society where fear and prejudice could make the hunters prey...

They say opposites attract. And in the case of werewolves Anna Latham and Charles Cornick, they mate. The son-and enforcer-of the leader of the North American werewolves, Charles is a dominant alpha. While Anna, an omega, has the rare ability to calm others of her kind.

Now that the werewolves have revealed themselves to humans, they can't afford any bad publicity. Infractions that could have been overlooked in the past must now be punished, and the strain of doing his father's dirty work is taking a toll on Charles.

Nevertheless, Charles and Anna are sent to Boston, when the FBI requests the pack's help on a local serial killer case. They quickly realize that not only the last two victims were werewolves-all of them were. Someone is targeting their kind. And now Anna and Charles have put themselves right in the killer's sights...

 

 

My Review

 

Why did I wait so long to read this book? Well, maybe because the other two books in the series were good but they weren’t the Mercedes Thompson series which I liked better. So, I held out. That turned out to be a mistake.

This author is a master of urban fantasy. She knows how to write a good paranormal mystery with a dash of romance and not make you feel like you are left wanting. (Hint the Chicagoland series being a good example of that wanting.)

Her characters are well written and they make you feel. If you haven’t read any of this author’s books, you are missing out. Although there are two series, it’s better to start with Mercy series. Otherwise, there will be spoilers in this one.

This installment has Charles in trouble. He’s not a killer although he’s really good at it. Being an old wolf, he’s at risk of losing himself and his humanity. And I love that Anna, his mate, is fighting for that not to happen no matter who’s in her way.

Anyway, for those that have read this series and were holding out, wait no more. This is more than worth a read.

Audio Review

Holter Graham does an excellent job. His female voices are good as well.

My book boyfriend is Charles.

 

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Sweet Peril (The Sweet Trilogy #2) by Wendy Higgins

Sweet Peril  (The Sweet Trilogy #2) by Wendy Higgins

 

This is a young adult paranormal romance (Rated PG-16)

 

♥♥1/2

(Two and half Perilous Hearts)

 

 

Book Summary

 

Anna Whitt, the daughter of a guardian angel and a demon, promised herself she’d never do the work of her father—polluting souls. She’d been naive to make such a vow. She’d been naive about a lot of things.

Haunted by demon whisperers, Anna does whatever she can to survive, even if it means embracing her dark side and earning an unwanted reputation as her school’s party girl. Her life has never looked more bleak. And all the while there’s Kaidan Rowe, son of the Duke of Lust, plaguing her heart and mind.

When an unexpected lost message from the angels surfaces, Anna finds herself traveling the globe with Kopano, son of Wrath, in an attempt to gain support of fellow Nephilim and give them hope for the first time. It soon becomes clear that whatever freedoms Anna and the rest of the Neph are hoping to win will not be gained without a fight. Until then, Anna and Kaidan must put aside the issues between them, overcome the steamiest of temptations yet, and face the ultimate question: is loving someone worth risking their life?

 

 

My Review

 

A SPOILER REVIEW – no way around it.

Okay, here we go. Look, I’m honest about my feelings. I think it can only help readers and authors alike if you are honest. Here is a book written that had a ton of potential. In fact even after that major unbelievable set up in the first book where a Conservative mother lets her daughter go on a road trip with a guy she met in less than a week, I read this book. I tried to get past that in that book. And beside that unbelievable bit, Sweet Evil was an intriguing story.

But here. I have 2 major problems with this story. And I have a minor one. So I’ll start with that. The first half of the book was really rather boring. A lot of nothing happened and could have easily been cut to add more interesting things. Days go by without her explaining. But she explained other stuff that really didn’t add anything to the story. UGH. It reminded me of that third Fallen book by Lauren Kate where the female lead regressed into incessant memories for the whole of the book. And that is a place no author would want to go. I would have rather heard interactions at school with Anna's friends. And if that was the only problem, I could have added another star to my rating. Sadly it wasn't.

Okay, so this is probably my biggest issue. Anna to save her own ass pretends to be “working” (and if you haven’t read the story, you won’t understand my meaning with that word). So here she is, going to parties and enticing people to drink and party (drugs are happening to). She’s even indulges herself “to save her own ass” (not drugs). Yet, she won’t have sex….. Well, she needs to remain pure after all. (that’s sarcasm). Really. If only Anna would have said no to sex because she wants to wait until marriage or true love. But no, she says she won't have sex ONLY because she needs to be able to hold the sword of righteousness. Really?? Where is the purity in that? Purity is not only in actions, it's in thoughts. And no one is pure. We all fall short in the eyes of God. It is what lies in our heart that fuels are actions that determines whether we are worthy or not, not your sexual status. And like Anna getting drunk or high can't lead to sex?

Oh, purity. Somehow because she’s repentant about encouraging underage drinking and gets people "safe" rides homes, God will overlook that. In fact, she can go to 3^rd base with Kai, but not have sex and she’s still pure. Next thing Anna will say is that anal or oral sex will be okay as long as she remains a virgin. (And by that I mean vaginal sex. And that’s bull) Really. Hey, here's a thought. Have "safe" sex with Kai and repent afterwards and she's covered. It worked with the drinking thing. (yeah, right).

What are we really saying to teen girls? That their value lies in between their legs. That, if you aren't a virgin, God will not find you worthy. That's laughable. Sin is sin. No sin is worse than another in his eyes.(And no I'm not encouraging teens to have sex). And what if a virgin is raped? Will she not be able to hold the sword of righteousness? Somehow, I don’t think purity is measured by your V Card. I think its soul deep determined by your actions (more than just sex). Hey how about selflessness.

Which leads me into my second problem with the story. The main focus of the story is recruiting members of the Neph to help in a future battle. They talk about keeping the members safe. Yet, 5 of them remain silent in the water as one of them is killed. What the hell? And Anna’s pure? Where is fighting for what’s right? What is a hero? It’s not someone who rides in with an army at his back. A hero is one that charges in alone to save the people with no regard to their own safety. That’s a hero. That is someone pure at heart. Not selfish Neph who’d let one of their own die without even trying a little to save their member out of fear. It is within fear that heroes are born. 

Sorry, if this book didn’t have a sword of righteousness that could only be held by someone pure, opps, I mean virgin, maybe I wouldn’t have had such a huge problem. My only problem then would be with a weak heroine, who if left to save the world, would allow everyone to die as long as she lived. She lacks backbone, selflessness, and a purity she thinks she has.

I think if this author would have had an a brutally honest beta reader like me, this could have been an awesome story. Such a shame.

Audio Review

Erin Mallon did a good job with this narration.

My book boyfriend Kaidan.

 

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One of My Favorite Series Ever ~ Eden East by Janelle Stalder ~ Cover Reveal

 

 

Book Blurb...

 

New life, new deaths, and truths revealed. Everything ends now.

In the final installment of the Eden series, the King’s army prepares for their biggest battle yet. Aiden and his friends set out to find Aziz in his hidden mountain fortress and bring the war in Eden to an end. But secrets are being discovered along the way, and the weight of them could ruin lives. Aiden is coping with loss and the need for vengeance, as well as changes in himself he doesn’t quite understand. Thousands of lives are depending on him to stop Aziz once and for all, and this time Aiden is more than ready and confident he’ll be the one to do it. The stakes are higher than he ever anticipated on his journey east.

Elisa is embarking on a new phase of her life. She has the man she loves beside her, their group of friends have become stronger, and the end of war is in sight. Now she just needs to see it through so she can finally have her happily ever after. But she knows the truth that the others don’t, and it will test her loyalty and friendship more than anything ever has.

With two brothers side by side, and an army ready for war, the only thing left to be seen is who will live and who will die.

Welcome to the thrilling conclusion of your journey into Eden.

 

Tentative Release Date: October 8th, 2013

 

 

ADD THIS ONE TO YOUR GOODREADS LIST.

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