Awakenings by Hally Willmott

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Rating: 4.5 Stars

Awakenings was a YA Paranormal story that filled me with curiosity from start to finish. I am definitely going to have to pick up the next book in the series Revelations to see what happens next!

We follow Jacey, a teenager who has spent a majority of her life moving from town to town with her brother and parents. We immediately begin to suspect everything is not as it seems and boy are you not disappointed. We then begin a magical sometimes sorrowful journey while Jacey finds out along with her Aunt Grace, her brother Hudson and her best friend Jen that she's more special than any of them ever knew. She meets new people along the way like Eve, Vincent, Heathe and the dreaded Chanary. Willmott takes you on a fascinating journey you'll want to read more of.

This story was refreshing, unique in its own way and I really enjoyed that. I loved how I wasn't able to predict anything that happens along the way because it was unlike anything I had read before. 

Caitlin

(ARC provided in exchange for honest review.)

Electrify Me by Bibi Rizer

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RATING: 5 STARS

Gloria is an unlucky girl, born the first baby in the new year, she has never experienced a happy new year's eve. With the expectation of something else going wrong this year, she decides to volunteer at a suicide hotline hoping to be able to save someone else's life, rather than slipping deeper into the despair of her own. How could a story ever be that predictable though, right? We're taken on a journey on with Charlie, the unexpected turn in Gloria's New Year's Eve plans, leaving the reader (and Gloria) wondering if this is the year New Year's Eve will change everything.

Bibi Rizer has provided us with a quick, hilarious and sweet story that I will be recommending to any romance reader.

Keri

(ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.) 

Haywire by Angela Biera

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RATING: 4.5 STARS

I've read a lot of books. I've read a lot of books with graphic violence and adult content. I'm not sure there was much preparing me for the emotional gutting I took in this book. I knew it was coming, I saw the patterns. It just hit hard when it did. It's definitely an appropriate name for this story.

This is the story of Sophie James, and her group of friends, Chloe, Madison, Cole, Landon and Liam. A relationship blossoms between Sophie and Landon. It moves fast, due to Landon's wicked good looks, and smooth talking charm. Faster than Sophie can really get a handle on. Chloe, Madison and Cole are none-the-wiser of Landon's smooth talking ways, figuring Landon just has one smart mouth. Liam though, he knows something isn't right. He tries to talk to Sophie and she shuts him out. Until the night when everything goes HAYWIRE. Sophie feels like she has nowhere to turn, except to turn to Liam for help.

This book leaves us on one serious cliffhanger. The second installment is due out January 16th. It was a fantastic read, the story line was well written, and plays well into the life of a bunch of college students. I am in desperate need of reading the second part. If you can handle this delicate topic in your reads, then I definitely recommend you pick this one up!

Keri


*** You can find the review of the second book in this series "High Wire" here.

The Ember by Lisa Messier

Amazon

Rating: 5 STARS

Wow, I don't even where to start with this review. This is the second book in the Future of Flames and it picks up right where the first one left us. 

In this we follow along while Raina discovers more about her family, her powers and what she was truly created to do. Along with her guard and boyfriend Dinan, she sets off in search of allies in the war she knows is coming making new friends and enemies on the way. One of my favorite to the addition of characters in this story was Bridget, I am so glad to see Raina making real loyal friends since she has been wronged most her life. 

It is such a fascinating world that Lisa takes us into and it had me riveted. I soaked up every morsel of information I was being fed and remained hungry for more when I finished this book. I have so much more I could say about this book if I wanted to ruin it for you but I can't. This book is definitely up there in my list of favourite books I've reviewed so far and I will be here drooling for more to devour. Pick up your copy of The Spark today if you already haven't and then be sure to read The Ember.

Caitlin

(ARC provided for honest review.)


*** You can find the review of "The Spark" the first book in this series here.

Ups-a-Daisy by Claire Upton

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RATING: 4 STARS

Ups-a-Daisy is a sweet read depicting a second chance romance. The author has developed characters that are lovable and easy to relate to, and given us a story line that keeps you interested and rooting for that "happily ever after." 

The novel follows along with Daisy in her post-divorce, ready to move on phase. She is off to her 20 year reunion, and dreading every minute of it. She meets an interesting secondary character and becomes friends with Georgie before heading out for some activities to calm her nerves caused by the impending reunion. Daisy ends up having a quick chat with the first love of her life; Tristan, while catching the eye of the handsome bartender; Stephan. Daisy is taken on a bit of a ride, trying to decipher her emotions, between her ex-husband, Tristan and Stephan, all the while trying to remain a good mum, and dealing with the delicate balance between love and responsibility. 

I love this book, and it is one that I am likely to re-read when I'm in need of a pick-me-up. I highly recommend it to someone that loves a good "happily ever after." 

Keri 

(ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.)

Unwilling by KD Wood

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Rating: 5 STARS

Wow this book. I have never read anything quite like this before and it was fascinating. I was literally up all night reading because I just couldn't put it down. It snagged me right at the beginning making me all kinds of curious about how this story was going to go. I honestly never could have predicted what I got.

We have our three main characters in Neely, Hayden and Andrew. Recent high school grads Neely and Hayden have been friends for what seems like forever but Neely's always been a little in love with him too. Finally ready to tell him how she feels, she tries to speak to him at their graduation party and he doesn't handle it very well. Enter Andrew or as I like to remember him hilariously as McCreepy, Neely's creepy stalker. He takes advantage of her vulnerable state and initiates the downfall of Neely's life as she knows it with the help from his crazy monster mother. I would recommend this to anyone who likes a little different thrown into their reading repertoire you will thoroughly enjoy it.

Caitlin

(ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.)

                                                    
                                                  

Soul Freedom by Miranda Shanklin

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RATING: 4 STARS

This is the fourth installment of The Soul Series, in which we follow the story of Annisa and her group of guardians on their journey to figuring out their powers and protecting the all powerful origin. This book is probably my favourite of the series so far.

In this part of the series, we start off around the wedding of Annisa and Chase, where the dreaded Counsel show yet again that they are serious jerks ;). We find out just how powerful Annisa is and watch a little bit as she struggles finding the balance between knowing when to go it alone and when to ask for help. Chase and Annisa are faced with a choice that will effect their future happiness and the group struggles with learning to let go. The characters in this story show a lot of maturity sometimes which I have always liked about this series. We learn of a new threat to the group and of a few new realms, bringing us new characters to enjoy like Drake the beautiful fairy guardian.

This one kept up at a steady pace and had me interested the entire time. I can't wait to see where Miranda takes them next.

Caitlin

(ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.)


*** Reviews for book 1, book 2, and book 3 are also available

Pneuma by Serena Kearney

Amazon US

RATING: 4 STARS

Let me just say, Serena Kearney did a fantastic job of giving us real life situations, and making them work with the science fiction side of this story.

This is a young adult, science fiction, romance novel. Does that seem out of place? Yes. Did she make it work? She sure did. This is by far one of the better YA novels I've read. This story centers around Estelle, and the romance that blooms with her long-time best friend. We're taken on a roller coaster of emotion from heartbreak, to heartwarming and it worked beautifully. 

I'm excited to see what Serena Kearney has coming for us next after reading such a fantastic production in this novel. 

Keri

Serena will be in our spotlight from December 20th-December 26th and doing a takeover on Sunday December 21st! Make sure you join us and see what she puts together for all of you! 

Deceived by Brenda Burling

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RATING: 4.5 STARS

Brenda Burling has delivered a brilliant book that shows just how far one person will go for something that means the world to her. 

The story introduces us to a carefree and entitled Julia Weston, painting a picture of a perfect life, with wonderful children and dutiful husband. And then we're shown how quickly everything can be torn away from you, with you being none-the-wiser. Brenda has created a storyline that is original and intriguing. It kept me interested from the very beginning while Julia's world is unraveled, and we watch her put it all back together again, piece by piece. 

With strong characters, a great story line and fantastic delivery, this book should be on your to-be-read list for sure!

Keri

(ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.)

Argentum (PAWS Book 2)

Amazon

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Let me start by saying that I really loved this story. It's a continuation from PAWS which I really really enjoyed. In this one we follow along with our main character Miri and her friends at the St. Louis PAWS Institute as she discovers new secrets and goes back up against old foes. There were a few things in the book that I would consider mature content and they kind of took away from me being able to fully enjoy the story and brought it down to a 3.5 star rating for me.

Miri is a great lead character she is very strong and I enjoy watching her grow as the story continues. Her supporting characters add to an already solid story. We learn more magic, secrets, and history behind a few more of the characters and I thought this really helped my reading experience. It gave me a depth that I sometimes find lacking in books. The characters were also really developed and mature and that always gets extra points in my book. It didn't happen frequently but as I said there were a few points in this book where I really had to push myself to continue just because of some of the content, once I pushed through though, I was able to get back into the story with ease.

Caitlin

(ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.)


*** Review for book 1 is also available.

Weakened by Juliet Braddock

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RATING: 5 STARS

Juliet pulled me into this story right from the word "go." She wove a tale that's both believable and inventive, leaving you in love and weak in the knees. There is so much passion in her words, and care taken with the characters and story descriptions. 

Through this novel we are rooting on Maxine and Drew, two well-suited characters learning to trust and have faith in other people after some difficult past events. Drew is everything a Dom should be, Maxine is just.. Maxine. I love her. We're also introduced to Ben, Maxine's best friend, and New York City, which truly is an identifiable character in this story, playing such a big part to how the story plays out. What I love most about this, is that it's not another "billionaire meets meek and mild mannered girl," it's a whole other scenario, on Broadway, treating us to an authentic and intricate part of New York City culture. 

I cannot say enough good things about this book. I am excited to read the second part entitled "Wrapped," which is expected to release in Spring 2015. If you love a good love story, and some serious steam in your sex scenes, I urge you to pick this up and read it.

-Keri

(ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.)

Dark n' Stormy: A Love Story With A Twist by JE Trif

Amazon US

RATING: 3 STARS

Dark 'n Stormy is aptly named. Following Nikki Moore through flashbacks and re-tellings, we learn about the hard road she has followed that lead her to the present with Jack Thompson. Nikki goes through life being let down at every chance, and when it seemed like maybe this was the one time things would work, fate had a way 

This book has the potential to be such a fantastic story, the premise of it is absolutely great. I wish I could rate it higher, but there were many parts that left a lot to be desired. Had the writer provided more depth to some of the scenes, it would have brought a lot more feeling into my experience as the reader, rather than feeling like I was being left out. Several scenes just dropped off, and cut to the next part, feeling like missed opportunity to love the characters a little more. There were also a fair amount of grammar errors and issues that took away from the story for me. 

Truly, it is a good story, and I'd recommend it to someone that loves a love story with a twist. I want to read the rest of the series as it's released, I need to know how everything works out in the end. 

Keri

(ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.)

Dusk by Melanie Smith

Amazon

RATING: 4 STARS

We start this story with a young woman named Alex, who rushes home from Italy with the news of her fathers passing just a year after losing her mother. Alex returns home to her step brother, and here she meets Dimitri the man who enthralls her and yet repels her at the same time. She learns some secrets that her parents had kept hidden from her but not her brother for the past 20 years. Alex is thrown into a world she never knew existed when she learns she's not only different, she's the Fae Queen. Her people are struggling on the verge of war against her half brother, the leader of the Vampires who feels wronged by Alex's ascent to the throne and her parents keeping her hidden may have done more harm than good by keeping her from her people. We follow along on her quest to learn more about who she is, while trying to save a people she doesn't even know will accept her.

Alex is a great strong female lead, I loved her witty personality. She was caring, loyal, and a warrior through and through. Dimitri starts off as your typical broody male lead, but as the story continues he opens up and you begin to just love his charm. The supporting characters were great, they brought it all together for a story you couldn't help but enjoy. I found myself constantly smiling throughout this book, and I am happy to have had the chance to read it. If you're a fan of paranormal romance with a little bit of kick butt action than you should grab a copy of Dusk and enjoy.

Caitlin

(ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.)

Bloodstains, Bruises and Butterflies by Rain Julia

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RATING: 4 STARS

This book is difficult to review, simply because there was so much going on in the plot, and it has a giant cast of characters. With that said, it is also brilliantly and intricately woven together.

The story is set in both Australia and Russia. In Australia, something happens, and we have so many births take place. These births are unique, bearing unique children, while in Russia we follow the goings on of  one unique child. They begin as two separate story lines, that eventually merge, bringing chaos, action and intrigue. It leaves you on a cliffhanger, with you wanting more. Needing more. 

This story is filled with detail, and information. As I said in the beginning, it is brilliantly written. I was intrigued by the layout of the cast, and the whole story. It's a one of a kind book that I'd highly recommend to anyone that likes an action/adventure packed story to keep them going. 

Keri

(ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.)