The Spider (Elemental Assassin #10) by Jennifer Estep

 The Spider  (Elemental Assassin #10) by Jennifer Estep

 

This is an adult urban fantasy novel (Rated NC-17)

 

 ♥♥♥♥

(Four Assassin Hearts)

 

 

Book Summary

 

The tenth book in the bestselling and “outstanding” (Romantic Times) Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series finally reveals for the first time the origins of Gin Blanco’s career as the deadliest of assassins.

For the first time, the origins of Gin Blanco’s career as the deadly assassin “the Spider” are revealed in full. In a story that pre-dates the other nine books in the series, Gin Blanco goes through her paces to become the most feared assassin in the Ashland.

 

 

My Review

 

 

I’m not a blurb reader. Too many give so much of the story away, I can’t enjoy it. So I was surprised that this story was more or less a blast from the past. Sometimes, I want to read about previous events. However, I think the author over the course of the series has slipped in flash backs. So, I didn’t really feel like a learned a whole lot.

There were times in this story were I felt like past events were forced in to fit a puzzle already complete.

SPOILER

I’m not sure I liked that Gin and Owen met before. I read so much, but I thought a previous book already had them meet before the “first” time. And then, Rosslyn, I could have sworn that Gin met her for the first time in the first or second book. Now we are to believe she met her before. So what was that meeting her at her club with Finn in the earlier books all about? Again, maybe I’m wrong. I do read a lot. I could be confused.

Anywho, the story kept my interest and for that, I gave it 4 hearts.

Audio Review

Lauren Fortgang is stellar. She really brings Gin and all the characters to life.

My book boyfriend Owen.

 

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How to Run with a Naked Werewolf (Naked Werewolf #3) by Molly Harper

How to Run with a Naked Werewolf  (Naked Werewolf #3) by Molly Harper

 

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

 

 ♥♥♥♥

(Four Naked Werewolf Hearts)

 

 

Book Summary

 

Down, Boy
Anna Moder has just witnessed a shooting, seen her car pulverized, and rescued a wounded stranger only to discover he's really a werewolf. And by her recent standards, things are actually looking up. Lycanthropes don't faze Anna. Doctoring a wolf pack outside Grundy, Alaska, is the closest thing to home life she's known in years. But hitching a ride to Anchorage with long-absent pack member Caleb Graham that's a risk. Part of her itches to whack his nose with a newspaper. The rest is trying unsuccessfully to keep her own paws off every delicious inch of him.
The problem is, Caleb employs his lupine tracking abilities as a notquite-legal bounty hunter, and Anna is suspicious of both him and his profession. On the run from her past, with old problems closing in, she'd like to stay far, far away from anybody with connections to the law. Caleb, however, seems determined to keep her close. Are his intentions noble, or is he working a more predatory angle?
Anna's been dreaming of returning to a semi-normal life, but now she's experiencing a strange new urge . . . to join Caleb in running with the wolves.

 

 

My Review

 

This author is my go to author when I need something on the light hearted side. I know I’m going to get a HEA. I know I’m going to get a laugh. And frankly she tells a good story.

And she does it again here. We are left on a guessing game trying to figure out why this girl is on the run. Although I figured out Caleb’s purpose, I still enjoyed waiting to see if I was right.

There are some really funny moments. One of my favorites happens in a bar. Our girl does what she has to done to help Caleb which turns into a hysterical moment between our girl and another. I won’t say more.

I have yet to read a funnier book by this author than her first in the Jane Jameson series. However, all her books have humor, some more than others.

I will continue to pick up this author’s books. So far, I’ve read them all except her Bluegrass series.

Audio Review

Amanda Ronconi does an awesome job as usual with this series and with all this authors books. She really brings the words to life.

My book boyfriend Caleb.

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Ignite Me (Shatter Me #3) by Tahereh Mafi

 

Ignite Me  (Shatter Me #3) by Tahereh Mafi

 

This is a young adult dystopian novel (Rated Not Sure)

 

 ♥

(One Heart and that's Generous)

 

 

Book Summary

 

The heart-stopping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, which Ransom Riggs, bestselling author of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, called "a thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love"

Juliette now knows she may be the only one who can stop the Reestablishment. But to take them down, she'll need the help of the one person she never thought she could trust: Warner. And as they work together, Juliette will discover that everything she thought she knew-about Warner, her abilities, and even Adam-was wrong.

In Shatter Me, Tahereh Mafi created a captivating and original story that combined the best of dystopian and paranormal and was praised by Publishers Weekly as "a gripping read from an author who's not afraid to take risks." The sequel, Unravel Me, blew readers away with heart-racing twists and turns, and New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia said it was "dangerous, sexy, romantic, and intense." Now this final book brings the series to a shocking and climactic end.

 

 

My Review

How do I hate thee let me count the ways.

SPOILERS

First let me say, I only read eleven chapters. And while I normally wouldn’t rate a book I haven't fully read, in this case I did enough spoiler research of good and bad reviews to know the leaps I make about the story and characters are true. (Adam and who Juliette chooses)

Yes, it’s true. I was team Adam the good guy. Why can’t the good guy win in a love triangle? And some of you will say that I’m only hating because Adam wasn’t chosen. That’s not true either. Let me give you a couple of examples.

Check out my reviews for the Hunger Game series. I wasn’t a Katiness fan. I was TEAM GALE. And Katiness didn’t choose him. And Peta <- misspelled, is the good guy. So see, I don’t always root for the good guy. Well, Gale was good. Anyway, I rated all the books FIVE STARS. I don’t have to like the character or love interest to read and enjoy the books.

Another example. Nightshade series. I loved Ren. Ren was the bad boy. Ah, see, the good guy doesn’t always have to win. Shay was the good guy and I knew she was going to choose him. And I was okay with that. I wasn’t however okay with killing Ren as a means to solve a love triangle.

So, I open this book and I knew Warner would be chosen. I knew based on events of the last book. However, I thought this book was interesting. I hated the author’s writing style but thought there was enough plot points that made it worth a read.

Within the first 11 chapters, not much more than a day passes. All that happens is a lot of talk. Warner starts by explaining away all the things that made him interesting. Why couldn’t he be the guy from the previous books? Hey, I’m a badass, love me or leave me. Then he could GROW as a character. Fancy concept. He could grow into a better person. No, this author explains away everything that made him a fascinating character with ridiculous explanations.

1.       The torture of the baby/toddler was a simulation. It wasn’t real. Really??? 

2.       The reason he didn’t want her to talk to her guards because they are all horny rapist. But no one can touch her. So what did she need protection from? I mean the author stole the character from the X-Men. She could protect herself from any rapist. This explanation was stupid.

3.       The guy Warner shot for stealing food for his family was really a bad guy. He beats his pregnant wife and kids so badly but he steals food for them. REALLY???? If he was such a bad father and husband, why did he steal the food? He could eat all the food and leave his family to starve since he cares so little for them. This was the stupidest explanation of them all.

4.       There are others but I digress.

BTW, I read all of this first hand. Why couldn’t Warner be Warner and Juliette fall for him as who he was and because he decides being bad isn’t the right way. Character growth.

So, I’m frustrated with the book because I can see the writing on the wall. And because it’s hell a boring with all the talk and no action, I can’t go further.

I decide to read the reviews so I can be prepared for what’s to come. And what do I find out. It’s the same across the board.

The author has also changed Adam into a douche? Why? So that everyone will be happy with a misunderstood Warner. So now, Warner’s good and Adam’s bad. WTF????

Why couldn’t Juliette decide and say to Adam, I’m sorry. I’m seventeen. I love you, but I’m not in love with you. I’m young. I don’t have to decide who I’m going to be with forever today or I’m young, as much as you’re a great guy and I’ll always be grateful for all you’ve done for me, I can’t be with you. Even if I wanted too, I hurt you by being with you because I’m Rogue from the X-Men. (lol about the last part)

That’s realistic. Personally, I would have been fine with Juliette with Warner because frankly I didn’t think she deserved Adam with her behavior from the last book. But instead, the author felt the need to justify Juliette’s decision with character assignations of both Warner and Adam. She might as well have left Adam dead.

She certainly didn’t give a message on how to establish healthy relationships. I read spoilers that Adam didn’t get closure. Instead, she made him an asshole as justification.

So in conclusion, the author does a lobotomy on her characters switching them in other bodies in order to justify her conclusions.

1.       Juliette who spends about a half a second morning her friends after thinking they are dead before she starts mooning over Warner and completely forgetting everyone else. Somehow she becomes a strong, capable leader(ADAM) after that half a second of morning.

2.       Adam needed to be removed as a potential suitor for Juliette. So the author erases everything we know about him and makes him into a complete asshole (Warner).

3.       Warner the manipulative likable villain becomes a needy misunderstood character (Juliette). He has daddy and mommy issues. And cue in the violin for his story. Sorry, I didn’t shed a tear. It was all too contrived to be believed.

And with that, I got a refund on this book. And I can’t recommend this series. It’s an unhealthy read. I won’t read anything more from this author either. There are just too many good authors to read rubbish.

Try Under The Never Sky by Veronica ROSSI for a good YA dystopian.

Audio Review

Kate Simses does a great job at narration.

My book boyfriend Adam whom I didn’t read in this story, so he’s still the wonderful Adam he was in the previous books.

 

 

 

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Into the Still Blue (Under the Never Sky #3) by Veronica Rossi

Into the Still Blue  (Under the Never Sky #3) by Veronica Rossi

 

This is YA/NA dystopian (Rated PG-13)

 

 ♥♥♥♥1/2

(Four and a Half Hearts)

 

 

Book Summary

 

The earth-shattering conclusion to Veronica Rossi's "masterpiece" Under the Never Sky trilogy and sequel to the New York Times bestselling Through the Ever Night (Examiner.com).

Their love and their leadership have been tested. Now it's time for Perry and Aria to unite the Dwellers and the Outsiders in one last desperate attempt to bring balance to their world.

The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe-haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do-and they are just as determined to stay together.

Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. And when Roar returns to camp, he is so furious with Perry that he won't even look at him, and Perry begins to feel like they have already lost.

Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble a team to mount an impossible rescue mission-because Cinder isn't just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survival, he's also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matter most.

In this final book in her stunning Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi raises the stakes to their absolute limit and brings her epic love story to an unforgettable close.

 

 

My Review

 

There might be spoilers in this review. I will alert you of spoilers before you read them if they come up in my review.

I really like this series. It’s not as explosive as Divergent or the Hunger Games, but there is a message in the story that speaks to my soul. And that message really comes together in this story. I’ll speak to it later.

It was easy to love these characters or hate them for that matter. An excellent sign of a great writer to make you passionate about the people she’s created. This author has given them depth and room to grow which they all seemed to have done over the course of the triology. I was moved by some however not brought to tears.

The plot was almost expected. Especially how each mission went. I knew to fill the pages certain conflicts would have to happen. And it was almost like SPOILER nothing would go right for these guys. END OF SPOILER. Still, there were things to learn during these times. There were things that helped the characters learn more about themselves.

By the time the last word was uttered, I was at a loss. I didn’t know if I should cry or want more. Oh, I should mention there was a moment when I thought this Veronica would go by the way side of the other Veronica. I won’t spoil and tell you if she did. I just will say I had a moment when I decided I would accept it and not be angry if she did. This situation was far different.

But back to the ending. I felt a disquiet after reading. I’m still not sure what it is. No that’s not true. These characters showed self-sacrifice. It’s an attribute I aspire to. The willingness to give of oneself for the greater good of others is admirable. These characters had that and I will miss them.

Overall, this story met all my expectations. SPOILER. Personally, I wish we would have definitively found out exactly what happened to Cinder. I hoped somehow… And by him not being there, it is assumed the loss. In my heart, somewhere in the pages after her ending that have no words, Cinder would have survived. One can only wish. END OF SPOILER. I shed a tear for him.

Audio Review

Beradette Dunne wasn’t a bad narrator. In fact, she’s a great actress and kept the characters distinguishable. I’m just not sure I would have chosen her to read alone. I kind of liked the guy who did book two.

My book boyfriend Perry.

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Beautiful Bastard (Beautiful Bastard #1) by Christina Lauren

Beautiful Bastard  (Beautiful Bastard #1) by Christina Lauren

 

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

 

 ♥♥♥1/2

(Three and a Half Super Hot Hearts)

 

 

Book Summary

 

 An ambitious intern. A perfectionist executive. And a whole lot of name calling.

Whip-smart, hardworking, and on her way to an MBA, Chloe Mills has only one problem: her boss, Bennett Ryan. He's exacting, blunt, inconsiderate--and completely irresistible. A Beautiful Bastard.

Bennett has returned to Chicago from France to take a vital role in his family's massive media business. He never expected that the assistant who'd been helping him from abroad was the gorgeous, innocently provocative--completely infuriating--creature he now has to see every day. Despite the rumors, he's never been one for a workplace hookup. But Chloe's so tempting he's willing to bend the rules--or outright smash them--if it means he can have her. All over the office.

As their appetites for one another increase to a breaking point, Bennett and Chloe must decide exactly what they're willing to lose in order to win each other.

Originally only available online as The Office by tby789--and garnering over 2 million reads on fanfiction sites--Beautiful Bastard has been extensively updated for re-release.

 

 

My Review

 

Ah, it’s hard to rate this book. The opening of the book is ridiculous.

SPOILER ALERT

Chloe claims to hate her boss. Nowhere in the opening does she say I hate my boss but he’s so hot, I might just fuck him (excuse my language). So with that said, when said boss, no matter how hot he is, feels you up (and remember she hates him and doesn’t fantasize about what it would be like to screw him) she lets him. No mention of how inappropriate it was. Then she lets him fuck her right then and there.

I swear my eyes could have gotten stuck in my head for all the eye rolling I was doing.

But because my Smut Sister swore by the book, I continued on where I might have DNF. And I must say it was worth it.

By the end, I really enjoyed the agonistic relationship between the couple. The dynamics between them got more believable further into the story. By the end, I was sold on continuing to read this series. I will say, I read this back in December and I have yet to move on with the series. While at some point I will continue, I’m not chopping at the bit to do so.

<u>Audio Review</u>

Grace Grant does a good job with the narration.

My book boyfriend Bennett

 

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Gabriel's Redemption (Gabriel's Inferno #3) by Sylvain Reynard

Gabriel's Redemption  (Gabriel's Inferno #3) by Sylvain Reynard

 

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

 

♥♥♥♥♥

(Five Wonderful Hearts) 

 

 

Book Summary

 

Professor Gabriel Emerson has left his position at the University of Toronto to embark on a new life with his beloved Julianne. Together, he’s confident that they can face any challenge. And he’s eager to become a father.

But Julianne’s graduate program threatens Gabriel’s plans, as the pressures of being a student become all consuming. When she is given the honor of presenting an academic lecture at Oxford, Gabriel is forced to confront her about the subject of her presentation – research that conflicts with his own. And in Oxford, several individuals from their past appear, including an old nemesis intent on humiliating Julia and exposing one of Gabriel’s darkest secrets.

In an effort to confront his remaining demons, Gabriel begins a quest to discover more about his biological parents, beginning a chain of events that has startling repercussions for himself, Julianne, and his hope of having a family.

 

 

My Review

 

It’s been so long since I read the first and second books in the series, I thought I might get lost because I don’t do re-reads. But it works out. The way this is written, my memory is jogged along the way.

 

I can’t remember if this was on my top 13 reads of 2013, but if it isn’t, it probably should have been. This is a really good book. I love how the author took the approach of what happens after a HEA. And in this case, there is trouble in paradise. But truth be told, it would be realistic to think they would have an easy go after such a rocky start.

One of the great things about this book is it did a wonderful job of wrapping up the storylines with the side characters. I don’t have the lingering questions I did after finishing one of my favorite series Fifty Shades of Grey.

This story held my interest from page one until the end. It’s always sad to see a series end, but I’m happy to have gone on this journey.

Audio Review

John Morgan did an excellent job at narration. He really felt believable as Gabriel. His voice was perfect.

My book boyfriend is Gabriel.

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A Witch's Handbook of Kisses and Curses (Half Moon Hollow #2) by Molly Harper

A Witch's Handbook of Kisses and Curses  (Half Moon Hollow #2) by Molly Harper

 

This is a paranormal romance (Rated NC-17)

 

 ♥♥♥♥

 (Four Witchy Hearts)
 

 

Book Summary

 

Nola Leary would have been content to stay in Kilcairy, Ireland, healing villagers at her family’s clinic with a mix of magic and modern medicine. But a series of ill-timed omens and a deathbed promise to her grandmother have sent her on a quest to Half-Moon Hollow, Kentucky, to secure her family’s magical potency for the next generation. Her supernatural task? To unearth four artifacts hidden by her grandfather before a rival magical family beats her to it.

Complication One: Her grandfather was Mr. Wainwright and the artifacts are lost somewhere in what is now Jane Jameson's book shop.

Complication Two: her new neighbor, Jed Trudeau, who keeps turning up half naked at the strangest times, a distraction Nola doesn't need. And teaming up with a real-life Adonis is as dangerous as it sounds, especially when he’s got the face of an angel and the abs of a washboard—can Nola complete her mission before falling completely under his spell?

 

 

My Review

 

Molly Harper for me brings paranormal romance with wit and light hearted. It’s not heavy, yet there is always a solid story.

I wasn’t sold on Nola, the female lead in this one. I didn’t like that she was a cheat and didn’t think too much about it. I know in the end, it turned out that didn’t matter. Still, I like my character’s to have character.

I also figured out pretty soon what was up with Jed. Still the story was entertaining. And I will continue this series along with all the other PRN books this author writes.

Audio Review

Amanda Ronconi did a good job considering she had to do a Boston/Irish accent. Not easy. Add that to Jed’s. Anyway, I did enjoy her narration as always.

My book boyfriend Jed.

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