Keystrokes by Lisa Marie

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Rating: 4.5 STARS

Since this is a book that we have both been waiting to read, we've both written a bit of a review for you to enjoy. Lisa was our primary reason behind starting this blog, and this is the one way we know to show our support. We've been following and encouraging, and helping get Lisa's name out there as much as we possibly can, and we are looking forward to being able to do the same for any number of other deserving authors as well. So, without further ado, here's our review of "Keystrokes" by Lisa Marie.

The chance of a lifetime. That's what it was and, it evolved into the love of a lifetime. Keystrokes is a dazzling read with love and laughter. It's the story of Farrow, the book blogger and Kasen Wells, the Hollywood Hottie. Farrow enters a contest which leads her to the set of "Dirty," getting the exclusive inside look of a novel-turned movie, that hit the media by storm. This is where she meets Kasen, mutually falling hard and fast. A relationship with the Hollywood Star has it's drawbacks, though. Especially when being in the limelight is the last place he wants to be, and Farrow is just getting a taste for it.

I was first given a taste of this novel back in May, my excitement has been building, and I'm so pleased to say that I wasn't let down, either. Lisa Marie has written a sweet and honest story for us, straight out of a fairy tale. Farrow's goal was to become successful in life without the help of a man. This becomes the one barrier between her and Kasen, who wants to step back from his stardom and is ready to settle down in life, with the one woman that makes him happy. We follow them through some major life events, and the support they show each other was fantastic. They were two characters in sync with each other, making the whole story that much easier to read in one sitting (yes, I said one sitting...). I loved it. I can safely say this will be a book that I re-read when I need a lift. 

Keri

Now what to say since Keri has said it all. Keri was the one who introduced me to Lisa Marie, Kasen and Farrow. After months of following teasers and posts I was so excited to sit down and read Keystrokes. Trust me when I say I wasn't disappointed. I loved the relationship between Farrow and Kasen. I felt it was as real as a fictional relationship could be. Although the relationship is tested a few times throughout the book our characters find their way back to each other showing just how true their love is and that they are willing to fight for it. The supporting characters helped the story along creating a wonderful read that I am so glad I got to experience. Lisa Marie you did a wonderful job on your debut novel. xo

Caitlin

The Spirit by D. Nichole King

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RATING: 5 STARS

Witches, demons and ghosts grace us with their presence in this small town in Iowa. Carrie is told she has to live with her Grandparents in Villisca, Iowa for the summer after her parents divorce and her Mom has a rough time with it. Carrie dreads it, but she quickly changes her mind after settling in, starting work, and meeting a few people, including Lucas. 

Lucas and Carrie fall for each other almost instantly, but the evil powers that be just don't want that to happen. Carrie is propelled into a world of uncertainty. Feelings she's not sure of and feelings she doesn't think she deserves after experiencing the heartbreak her mother went through. Lucas is not something of this world. Megan; who works with Carrie, is and warns Lucas to stay away from her. We watch these two dance between knowing what they feel is right, and what's meant to be. This is a story of heartache, a story of love. A story of good and evil, and the battle between them. 

D. Nichole King has done a great job of syncing good and evil with love and heartbreak in this book. This was her debut novel, released in April 2014, and the 2nd part of the series was released on Nov 18th. Stay tuned for the review of "The Body." 

Keri

This book is currently free- snatch it up now while you still can!


*** You can find our review of book two "The Body" here.

Soul Redemption by Miranda Shanklin

          
                                                                   Amazon US   Kobo
                                                                             Rating: 3.5 STARS

This books picks up a very short time after the first. The gang Annisa, Chase, Penelope, and Landon have barely even had a chance to settle down before they are hit with a new danger. The Advisors, a group of witches who feel they are more powerful and more deserving than others. The gang is their main threat and they set off to try to eliminate that threat before it gets too bad. We meet two new teenagers, Amy and Brian a couple we spend a small part of the book trying to figure out just who these two are and what they are doing. We run into old foes turned friend with Rayne, who I must say is probably my favourite character. We also introduced to more new friends and enemies throughout the story as we read about our heroes on their quest to keep their town and their family safe against the evil forces at work. Mix in a little bit of drama and voila. I've got to say I liked this one more than the first. It was great seeing the story grow from what I read with this authors first novel. There were a few minor details I found bothered me a little bit, but I can't really explain them without giving away some important plot. It took me a little bit to get into this but once I did I enjoyed the story and I am looking forward to reading the next one :).



Caitlin


(copy provided for honest review.)

*** Reviews for book 1, book 3 and book 4 are also available. 

Numb by Xavier Neal

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RATING: 4.5 STARS

Logan and Maxx! Hello, and thank you for finally getting to that place you need to be at! It makes my heart so happy!  

This part of the series is filled with a little more drama and heartbreak than it's counterparts "Blind" and "Deaf." In this book we meet Dean. Dean pulls at Logan's heart strings just a little (I mean A LOT.), and I can't wait to see how he works into the next segment. We're seeing a whole other side to Logan. A side that makes my insides all gooey and we see Maxx's weaker moments. We learn more of their history, and we can see why they have such great chemistry and the dynamics in their family unit that keep them going, and keep them together. 

Once again, that inner monologue, and the dialogue with the audience captivates me. It speaks to me. I don't have enough praise for it.

Seriously- I do not want to wait until December for "Hush." But I will, since I have to. ;)

Keri

(ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.) 

*** Reviews for "Blind" and "Deaf"

Deaf by Xavier Neal

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RATING: 4 STARS

We're picking up in the second part of the Senses series with Maxx and Logan. Still trying to figure out what they want to do. Or rather, how to go about getting together. It feels like they finally figure it out. And at least one of them does. 

It seems like Logan is making some pretty vital changes in his lifestyle. Working to make Maxx see who he wants to be, what he's willing to do for her. But Maxx is having a hard time dealing with it and feels like Logan is just doing/saying what he has to, to get what he wants. Their roles have reversed in the second part of their story. And there's a strong "It is, what it is" attitude present, as well.

We see more of the inner monologue writing style, which I absolutely love (I mean it. It really woks for how my brain functions.). And the cliffhanger is what gets me. Every. Time. I really don't like them, especially when we're left with so much feeling unfinished.

I'm about to dive into Numb, which will hopefully resolve a lot of the angsty, unfinished feelings that I have at the moment. I'll be back with the next review soon enough, I'm sure of it!  

Keri

(ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.) 

*** Reviews for "Blind" and "Numb" available

Blind by Xavier Neal

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Rating: 4 STARS

That endearing book that you just know is going to give you an HEA. Except it doesn't. It's a cliffhanger, which is basically the only thing that knocks it down for me. 

This is the story of Logan and Maxx. Best friends since they were kids, both coming from troubled homes. Logan is an MMA fighter, while Maxx is the nerdy girl/best friend. There is a lot of chemistry between these two, and as it plays out in the book you learn that they've both known it was there for a long time, just nobody wanted to act on it. For fear of being rejected, for fear of changing their friendship, or just flat out fear. On the sidelines we have their two housemates/long-time best friends Luke and Erin (brother and sister) also cheering them on, trying to help them past the fears, and get together. It makes for some background information on the main characters, and a little side story, hoping Luke and Erin will meet their contenders and get what they deserve in life as well- love. 

The writing style in this book worked so well for my brain. I love the characters addressing the audience in their minds as the story goes. It's an added touch to make me feel like I'm seeing this play out, not just reading it. 

Keri

(ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.)

*** Reviews of "Deaf" and "Numb"

Moonlight Lost by Sabrina Archer

Amazon US

Rating: 4 STARS

Archer has written a sweet little paranormal YA romance packed full of adventure and magic. 

We start the story meeting Jayde and her mom, Constance. They've recently lost Jayde's father, and end up moving to another state. Accidents happen, and life changes course quite abruptly for Jayde while she meets Bently, the super hot love interest. She's thrown into a life of things she thought only existed in the movies, and Bently is there to save her, show her the way and root her on after discovering Jayde's best friend Scarlet needs to be saved. 

I adored this story, and the only thing that keeps me from rating it higher was the dialogue. It felt much younger than the 17 and 18 year old characters, and as a result, the story didn't play out to the best of it's ability for me. I hope to read more of this trilogy in the future and can't wait to see what happens next. 

-Keri

(ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.) 

Soul Journey by Miranda Shanklin.

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Rating: 3 Stars

This is the story of Annisa Lawson, who generally lives a picture perfect life. She's the captain of the cheerleading squad, her long time boyfriend and best friend Landon's the quarterback, she's pretty and popular and yet she still can't fight the feeling that she's not like every one else around her. There's something different about her. Then her new neighbors move in next door, and her life gets turned upside down. It takes one look into the eyes of the cutie next door for her to begin to question everything about her life. Then on her 16th birthday, she learns that she was right all along. She's not normal she's a witch along with long time boyfriend and best friend Landon and her new neighbors Chase and Penelope. Confused by the attraction she feels for Chase, Annisa learns she has to make a decision for it was this same situation with Chase and Landon that got them into this mess in the first place. Torn between what she thought was love, and what she feels could be love Annisa makes her choice, which opens up a whole new world of problems. The four teens come together to form a very powerful bond which comes in handy as they face off against jealous girls, their worlds best assassin and the ones who govern them all in the Counsel. We join Annisa and the gang on their adventure to save the world.

There was a lot about this story that I really liked. The story line had pretty much everything I look for in stories like this. I loved the maturity in our younger characters, you don't always see that in a YA novel. I loved the bad girl that we got with Rayne. The relationship between our four main characters was great. There were a few things that bothered me though. The biggie for me honestly was the sex scenes. I thought they were a little intense for a YA novel, I had a hard time reading about freshly 16 year olds and their sex lives. I'm not naive, I know it happens, unfortunately it was just something that took away from the book for me. Parts also seemed to drag for me, and it took me a little bit longer to get through some of them. Honestly, I think if I had of read this story as an N/A novel I likely would have rated this story a 4.

Caitlin

(ARC provided in exchange for an honest review)

Reviews for book 2, book 3, and book 4 are available as well.

Londyn Falls by Jennifer Domenico

Blurb:

He makes me want to ease his sorrow. To know what broke his heart. To help him heal. When he’s near, my breath catches, my heart races, my body sings. His very presence ignites my soul with desire.

All I want is to love him.

I just wish he knew it. ~ Londyn Harper

She makes me want to open my heart. Ask her to love me. Tell her my secrets. She makes me want to try again. When she’s near, my heart begins to heal, my body yearns to touch her, the darkness disappears.

All I want is to love her.

I just need to tell her. ~ Luca Di Roma

Londyn thinks she could never get a man like him. Luca fears if she learns his secret, she will run. Does he have what it takes to love her? Could she love him back?

 

   

Excerpts:

 

The professor sighs and leans back in his chair. “I can’t have you cowering in the corner like a frightened mouse. You need to speak up and say what you mean. Do you have an assertive bone in your body?”

“Yes.”

“Well, use it.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Stop calling me that.”

“What shall I call you then?”

Every ounce of the minimal confidence I have left in me slithers away as I watch the professor rise from his chair and walk towards me. I do my absolute best to stay put and not run from the room like I want to. Placing both hands on either side of my desk, he leans close to me, staring into my eyes, daring me to flinch.

“You may call me Professor.”

 

Teasers:

Other Books by Jennifer Domenico…

Turn Towards the Sun

Turn Towards the Sun: After the Rain

Turn Towards the Sun: Forever in Bloom

Beautifully Twisted

Have My Heart

Chasing Desire

About The Author:

One day, many months ago, Jennifer Domenico went to sleep and a beautiful love story played out in her dreams.

When she awoke, she felt compelled to write it down. So she did- for days and days she wrote. The result was her first novel, Turn Towards the Sun and a writing career was born.

Ms. Domenico lives in Scottsdale, Arizona with her very Italian husband, a dog that adores her, two cats that tolerate her, and a wicked sweet tooth.

Social Media Links:

https://www.goodreads.com/JenDomenico

http://jenniferdomenico.com

@jendomenico

https://www.facebook.com/authorjendomenico

Amazon US

Rating: 5 STARS

This is the love story of Luca, the ornery professor, and Londyn, his new assistant. When I first started this book, I was upset. I thought it was a spin off of "Gabriel's Inferno." I was wrong. And then I was dreading it being one of those "insta-love" stories that drive me crazy. It wasn't. 

This story is so well written, keeping you engaged from beginning to end. The characters and story progressed so naturally, the POV changes were done to perfection. The manner it's delivered in was a great choice. The whole time you're just waiting, and hoping that life will come together for these two, that they'll overcome whatever obstacle they seem to think is standing in their way. I don't have enough good things to say about this book. I will highly recommend this novel to any romance reader in the future.

This book is set to release on November 16th. At which point I will include buy links in my review.
Also, please stay tuned because we will be a part of the Blog Tour for this release on November 24th! 

-Keri 

(ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.)

Havoc by Xavier Neal

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Rating: 4 STARS

We  are introduced to Clint (Grim) in the prologue, a sad back story of his mother passing, bringing to light Clint's feelings about his dad's absence growing up. And in the beginning we learn how serious and "Grim" he is, so he's aptly named. In the here and now of the book, Clint is on leave, counting down the days until his next deployment until he finds a bruised and battered Haven unconscious in his yard. His mission at that point becomes nothing other than keeping her safe. He falls for her. He feels so strongly that he needs to protect this young girl. He is immediately in tune with her feelings, and is overwhelmed by it, as is she. We follow them through the next intense 87 days, settling Haven into a different life, with a network of people to help, and preparing each other for life after his deployment. And we find out what they forgot to prepare for, as a result of concentrating solely on that time. 

I might be biased, I really love romance stories starring Marines, Army dudes, and other sorts of commandos, this is definitely a book up the same alley as "Corps Security." This is not a super smut read. But the romance is there. The "alpha" is there, quite literally.

Two things that "bothered" me with this book, and prevents me from giving it 5 STARS is; one- the relationship between Clint and his dad. I feel like he's holding on too tightly to something he should understand with the career choices that he made. And two- I think more back story on Haven would have been good, or sharing the POV between them.

-Keri 

(ARC provided in exchange for honest review.)